KANANASKIS, Alberta — In the midst of ongoing discussions between Brussels and Washington, the European Union’s chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, has made it clear that the bloc is not prepared to accept the proposed 10 percent global tariff from the United States. This assertion comes as both sides engage in technical and political dialogues aimed at resolving their persistent trade disputes.
EU dismisses speculations about tariff acceptance
Pinho emphasized that recent media reports indicating the EU’s acceptance of the 10 percent U.S. tariff on all exports are “speculative and do not reflect the current state of discussions.” She stated, “Negotiations are ongoing, and no agreement has been reached at this stage. From the start, the EU has objected to unjustified and illegal U.S. tariffs.”
The EU, like many nations, is currently subject to a baseline tariff of 10 percent imposed by Washington. The stakes are particularly high, with the trading relationship between the EU and the U.S. valued at nearly $2 trillion annually. Should the two sides fail to reach an agreement by July 9, the tariff is set to escalate to 50 percent, as indicated by Trump’s warnings. Presently, the U.S. imposes a 50 percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports, along with a 25 percent tariff on cars.
Calls for resolution ahead of G7 summit
As the G7 summit approaches, scheduled for June 15-17 in the Canadian Rockies, leaders from the European Commission and Council have urged the U.S. to reconsider its tariff policies without directly naming Trump. Concurrently, media outlets such as Reuters and the German financial newspaper Handelsblatt reported that the EU might be open to accepting a 10 percent tariff.
“As agreed by [European Commission] President Ursula von der Leyen and President Trump, the European Commission remains fully engaged in seeking a common solution by July 9,” Pinho remarked. “Our clear preference is a negotiated, balanced, and mutually beneficial outcome. However, if a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached, all instruments and options will remain on the table.”
In a recent meeting, EU trade ministers reiterated their position, urging the Commission not to agree to any deal akin to that of the U.K., which permits a 10 percent reciprocal tariff. Despite multiple proposals for a zero-for-zero mutual agreement on industrial goods being presented to Trump, this initiative has faced stagnation in recent weeks due to concerns within the Trump administration regarding its passage through Congress.