It needs EU by July 9 for US trade talks, says the boss

The EU chief said he was ready to move “fast” to agree to a trade deal with the United States, but says the block needs until July 9 to agree to a “good deal”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had a “good call” with US President Donald Trump on Sunday – two days after expressing dissatisfaction with the EU negotiations and threatening to impose 50% rates.

Last month, Trump announced a 20% tariff for most EU goods, but later reduced it to 10% to 8 July to give time to negotiate.

Von der Leyen said Europe is “ready to continue negotiations quickly and decisively” and “to achieve a good deal, we will need the time until July 9”.

In a note to White House reporters on Friday afternoon before the talks with the block, Trump said he plans to collect rates for all goods sent to the United States from the EU to 50% to June 1, citing negotiations.

Later on Friday, the head of the EU Trade Maros Chief Chief confirmed the engagement of the block to secure a fair deal.

After a call with US sales representative, Jamison Greer and Trade Secretary Howard Luni said, “The EU is fully engaged to provide a deal that works for both.”

He continued: “The EU-platter trade is incomparable and must be guided by mutual respect, not by threats. We are ready to protect our interests.”

Trump has long criticized what he considers to be unfair trade relations with the EU, although the block is one of the largest trading partners in Washington. Last year, the EU made over $ 600 billion (€ 528 billion; € 443 billion) in goods in the United States while importing $ 370 billion, according to US government.

The president specifically expressed concerns about the car trade and agricultural goods. Although some tariffs were stopped earlier this year to allow negotiations, a 25% tax on EU steel and aluminum remains.

European leaders continue to warn against escalation. France and Germany called for a diplomatic decision, emphasizing that tariffs would harm both economies.

The EU threatened – and stopped – its own measures against the United States.

It says it will introduce a 25% tariff for 18 billion euros ($ 20 billion; £ 15 billion) to American goods entering Europe, but this was detained.

Bloc is currently consulting for additional measures against US imports to the US worth 95 billion euros.