EU requires US commerce deal based mostly on ‘respect’ after Trump’s tariff threats

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/c900/live/5f2e65e0-382f-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/c900/live/5f2e65e0-382f-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c900/live/5f2e65e0-382f-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/c900/live/5f2e65e0-382f-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c900/live/5f2e65e0-382f-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/c900/live/5f2e65e0-382f-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/c900/live/5f2e65e0-382f-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c900/live/5f2e65e0-382f-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="EPA EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. Photo: 6 May 2025" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> EPA EU Commerce Commissioner Maros Sefcovic warned that Europeans "stand able to defend our pursuits"

The European Union's commerce chief stated the 27-member bloc is dedicated to securing a commerce cope with the US based mostly on "respect" not "threats".

It comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to slap a 50% tariff on all items despatched to the US from the EU.

"The EU's totally engaged, dedicated to securing a deal that works for each," EU Commerce Commissioner Maros Sefcovic stated after a name with US Commerce Consultant Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

"EU-US commerce is unmatched & have to be guided by mutual respect, not threats. We stand able to defend our pursuits."

Earlier on Friday, Trump expressed impatience with the tempo of ongoing EU-US commerce negotiations, saying his plan to boost tariffs on 1 June was set.

Posting on his Reality Social platform, Trump stated: "Our discussions with them (the EU) are going nowhere," including that there could be no tariffs for merchandise constructed or manufactured within the US.

"I am not searching for a deal - we have set the deal," he informed reporters later, earlier than instantly including {that a} huge funding within the US by a European firm may make him open to a delay.

The EU is without doubt one of the Washington's largest buying and selling companions, sending greater than $600bn (€528bn; £443bn) in items final 12 months and shopping for $370bn price, US authorities figures present.

Reacting to Trump's threats, European governments have warned that greater tariffs could be damaging to each side.

"We don't must go down this street. Negotiations are the perfect and solely sustainable manner ahead," Eire's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin stated.

"We're sustaining the identical line: de-escalation, however we're prepared to reply," stated French Overseas Minister Laurent Saint-Martin.

German Financial system Minister Katherina Reiche stated that "we should do all the things to make sure that the European Fee reaches a negotiated answer with the US".

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof informed reporters that he backed the EU's technique in commerce talks and "we've seen earlier than that tariffs can go up and down in talks with the US".

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/2fdf/live/962765d0-3832-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/2fdf/live/962765d0-3832-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2fdf/live/962765d0-3832-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/2fdf/live/962765d0-3832-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/2fdf/live/962765d0-3832-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/2fdf/live/962765d0-3832-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/2fdf/live/962765d0-3832-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2fdf/live/962765d0-3832-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images US President Donald Trump announces what he calls "reciprocal tariffs" at the White House. Photo: April 2025" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Getty Photographs US President Donald Trump in April introduced what he referred to as "reciprocal tariffs" on items from nations world wide

Final month, Trump introduced a 20% tariff on most EU items however had halved it to 10% till 8 July to permit time for extra negotiations.

Trump's complaints about Europe have targeted on its uneven commerce relationship, because the EU sells extra items to the US than it buys from America.

He blames this commerce deficit on insurance policies that he says are unfair to American firms, and he has particularly raised issues about insurance policies associated to automobiles and agricultural merchandise.

Trump additionally warned Apple that he would impose a 25% import tax "no less than" on iPhones not manufactured in America, later widening the menace to any smartphone.

Shares within the US and EU fell on Friday after the newest threats, with the S&P 500 down about 0.7% and Germany's Dax and France's Cac 40 ending the day down greater than 1.5%.