Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Thursday, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic announced that the European Union and the United States have reached an agreement to enhance trade discussions.
As U.S. President Donald Trump progresses on trade agreements with the U.K. and even with longstanding adversary China, the European Union is being sidelined — highlighting the deep divide between previously close allies.
The Trump administration has implemented a 25% tariff on U.S. imports of steel, aluminum, and cars, along with a standard 10% tariff affecting nearly all countries. If negotiations during a 90-day pause do not succeed, additional “reciprocal” tariffs will be applied, resulting in a total of 20% for the EU.
How serious is the EU about deeper agreements?
Before the EU trade ministers meeting in Brussels, Sefcovic informed journalists that he had a conversation with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick yesterday, revealing that both parties “agreed to intensify engagement at a technical level.”
The EU commissioner mentioned that he and Lutnick will
“see each other soon either in Brussels or at the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] meetings,”
Scheduled for later this month in Poland. This update follows pointed remarks made by US President Donald Trump regarding the EU just a few days earlier.
Why hasn’t von der Leyen met Trump officially?
On the other hand, Since Trump took office again in January, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has yet to hold a formal meeting with him, having only exchanged a few words at Pope Francis’s funeral in Vatican.
Trump later praised “fantastic” von der Leyen, stating, “I hope we’re gonna meet.” She replied, saying: “If I go to the White House, I want to have a package we can discuss.”
Her remarks highlight Europe‘s intent to secure a more extensive trade agreement rather than a quick political victory with limited scope, similar to the one negotiated between Washington and London.
Can Sefcovic make progress with Washington?
Moreover, as reported by Politico, Up to now, EU Trade Commissioner Sefcovic has not made progress in three rounds of direct talks with figures such as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. This has raised concerns in Brussels that the EU might be left waiting for a U.S. trade deal.
