European Commission president: The EU seeks a negotiated solution but aims to negotiate with the US from a strong position

In response to U.S. trade tariffs, the European Union will strengthen the unity of its internal market, which is regulated by the European Commission (EC), EC President Ursula von der Leyen said at a speech at a European Parliament session in Strasbourg.

“Our response to U.S. tariffs should be to reinforce the unity of the European market,” she stated, promising to “eliminate remaining trade barriers between EU countries,” which would effectively mean an increase in the EC’s economic power and a reduction of member states’ government powers.

As noted, the EC has prepared a tough countermeasure plan that will be implemented if a negotiated solution is not found. “The EU has not initiated this confrontation; we consider it a mistake. But the EU has all the means to defend its market,” von der Leyen stated. According to her, the EC seeks a “negotiated solution but intends to negotiate with the U.S. from a strong position, relying on the size of its market, European technologies, and the service sector.”

“For now, the U.S. administration has announced a 25 percent increase in tariffs on steel, aluminum, cars, and auto parts imported from the EU. The next targets for expected tariffs will include transmitters, medical products, and wood materials. Tomorrow, we expect an announcement regarding the implementation of those tariffs,” she noted.