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Trump strengthens stance in EU trade discussions
(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has raised his demands in ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union, now pushing for a minimum tariff of 15% to 20% as part of any trade agreement with Brussels, according to the Financial Times, which cited informed sources.
Talks between Washington and Brussels have been in progress since early April, following Trump’s announcement of protectionist measures dubbed ‘Liberation Day,’ aimed at safeguarding American manufacturers. These measures included a blanket 10% tariff on all EU imports, as well as on goods from most other US trading partners. Although these tariffs were temporarily paused to allow room for negotiations, Trump has warned they will increase to 30% if no deal is struck by August 1. These tariffs would be imposed in addition to existing duties, such as the 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum and 25% on car imports already introduced earlier this year.
The Financial Times reported on Friday that the US is adopting a tougher position in an attempt to test the EU’s “pain threshold.” Sources told the paper that Trump remains firm on keeping the 25% car import tariff unchanged, despite Brussels offering to reduce it.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic reportedly gave a pessimistic briefing to EU ambassadors about the state of talks with Washington. One EU diplomat warned that if Trump insists on tariffs between 15% and 20%, the EU will have no choice but to retaliate. Although Brussels has already prepared counter-tariff measures, their implementation has been delayed until August 1.
“We are not seeking a trade war, but we may not be given a choice,” one EU official told the FT. Another diplomat noted that sentiment in Brussels has shifted decisively in favor of retaliation, stressing, “We will not settle for a 15% tariff.”
Meanwhile, Washington has so far largely escaped retaliation for its tariffs, while collecting a record $64 billion in customs duties during the second quarter of 2025, according to figures from the US Treasury.
Talks between Washington and Brussels have been in progress since early April, following Trump’s announcement of protectionist measures dubbed ‘Liberation Day,’ aimed at safeguarding American manufacturers. These measures included a blanket 10% tariff on all EU imports, as well as on goods from most other US trading partners. Although these tariffs were temporarily paused to allow room for negotiations, Trump has warned they will increase to 30% if no deal is struck by August 1. These tariffs would be imposed in addition to existing duties, such as the 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum and 25% on car imports already introduced earlier this year.
The Financial Times reported on Friday that the US is adopting a tougher position in an attempt to test the EU’s “pain threshold.” Sources told the paper that Trump remains firm on keeping the 25% car import tariff unchanged, despite Brussels offering to reduce it.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic reportedly gave a pessimistic briefing to EU ambassadors about the state of talks with Washington. One EU diplomat warned that if Trump insists on tariffs between 15% and 20%, the EU will have no choice but to retaliate. Although Brussels has already prepared counter-tariff measures, their implementation has been delayed until August 1.
“We are not seeking a trade war, but we may not be given a choice,” one EU official told the FT. Another diplomat noted that sentiment in Brussels has shifted decisively in favor of retaliation, stressing, “We will not settle for a 15% tariff.”
Meanwhile, Washington has so far largely escaped retaliation for its tariffs, while collecting a record $64 billion in customs duties during the second quarter of 2025, according to figures from the US Treasury.
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