Brussels (dpa -AFX) – In the customs dispute with the USA, the EU is focusing on further negotiations despite the threats of the Americans. This was made clear by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after a phone call to US President Donald Trump. In April, the latter initially suspended its special tariffs for the EU for 90 days until July, but now threatens with high punitive tariffs from June 1st. “In order to reach a good agreement, we would need the time until July 9,” said von der Leyen on platform X.
She spoke of a good phone call to Trump. The most important and closest trade relationships in the world exist between the EU and the United States. “Europe is ready to promote the conversations quickly and determined,” emphasized the Leyen.
Trump had increased the pressure on the EU on Friday before a further negotiation and prospect of penalty tariffs of 50 percent from June 1st. It is unclear whether these tariffs will actually come into force. Trump has regularly threatened with high tariffs in the past – and then carried out a U -turn.
Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil was confident on Sunday that both sides agree. “I am carefully optimistic that this will succeed,” said the SPD politician in the ARD “Report from Berlin”. One is in a decisive phase of the negotiations./bf/dp/zb