Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic is traveling to Washington, DC, on Wednesday for tariff discussions with US officials as the EU revives its efforts to resolve the transatlantic tariffs dispute.
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has stated he will impose 30% tariffs on imports from the EU, effective August 1. Europe finds this to be too high and warns that these tariffs would disturb normal commerce between two of the world’s largest consumer markets.
Why is Maros Sefcovic traveling to Washington now?
As reported, the last-minute decision to travel to the U.S. in person comes after Sefcovic talked to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Monday and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Tuesday.
“Sefcovic is flying to DC this afternoon, for separate in-person meetings”
With US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, stated EU Commission trade spokesman Olof Gill.
How much is the proposed EU retaliation worth?
On the other hand, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič proposed that EU trade ministers assemble in Brussels for an extraordinary session on Monday, a list of €72 billion worth of US products to be contained in a retaliatory tariff campaign.
“We must be prepared for all outcomes, including, if necessary, well-considered proportionate measures to restore balance in our transatlantic relationship,”
Šefčovič stated, adding:
“Today the Commission is sharing with the member states the proposal for the second list of goods, accounting for some €72 billion worth of US Imports. They will now have a chance to discuss it.”
The EU Commission‘s list, now decreased to €72 billion from €95 billion after consultations with EU industries and member nations, still requires formal approval by member states. It covers a broad array of products, such as US-made airplanes and bourbon.
When was the last time the EU trade commissioner visited the US?
The past visit of the EU Trade Commissioner took place in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 2025.This was a high-level delegation related to trade negotiations that were beginning at a time of considerable tension with tariff and disagreement issues still unresolved between the European Union and the United States. The EU Trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič and the U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, along with other senior officials, met to review a number of important trade issues related to the tariffs and threats of 2025 that had damaged transatlantic economic relations.
