EU Prepares Countermeasures If US Tariff Deal Fails

The European Commission announced that following U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent, it is actively pursuing negotiations this week to reduce or eliminate these tariffs with the United States.

Maros Sefcovic, the European Union's trade commissioner, is scheduled to meet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Wednesday, June 4, during the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) meeting in Paris to discuss the issue.

The European Commission emphasized that it prefers reducing or removing tariffs rather than escalating them, prioritizing resolving trade disputes through dialogue and cooperation.

Meanwhile, the White House has stated that the United States is negotiating in good faith and hopes to reach an agreement with Brussels to prevent further tariff increases.

The EU has repeatedly expressed concern that raising tariffs would increase economic instability on both sides of the Atlantic. It has also warned that, if no agreement is reached, it will impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods worth 100 billion euros.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and the EU over steel and aluminum tariffs reflect broader challenges in transatlantic economic relations. Both parties recognize the importance of maintaining stable trade policies to support economic growth and job creation in their regions.

Observers note that the outcome of these talks could have significant implications for global markets, as prolonged tariff disputes risk disrupting supply chains and increasing costs for industries and consumers worldwide.

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