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US trade 'almost impossible' in case of Trump tariffs — EU

Timothy Jones AFP and dpa
July 14, 2025

The European Union's trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, says the bloc hopes for a deal with the US despite President Donald Trump's threat of 30% levies. But the clock is ticking as August 1 approaches.

Laurent Saint-Martin and Maros Sefcovic, two suited men talking, one with hands raised, fingers pointing upward
French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin (left) has called for a tough reaction to Trump's tariffs, while EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic (right) is still optimistic for a deal with WashingtonImage: Yves Herman/REUTERS

EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said on Monday that he believed the US was ready to continue ongoing trade negotiations.

US President Donald Trump had announced that he would impose 30% trade tariffs on imports from the EU and Mexico from August 1 if no deal was reached.

Sefcovic's remarks came amid divisions within the EU on how to confront the threat.

France is among European countries calling for a hardball approach, while others urge caution with a mind to Europe's continued reliance on the US for defense.

Among those threatening stark consequences, Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the EU had already prepared a list of tariffs worth €21 billion ($24.5 billion) on US goods if the two sides fail to reach a deal.

EU faces dilemma as Trump renews tariff threat at 30%

03:44

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What did the EU trade chief say about talks with the US?

Sefcovic, who as has been representing the EU's 27 member states during more than four weeks of talks with the US, said a deal was the favored outcome. 

In remarks made on arrival for talks in Brussels with EU ministers, he said a 30% tariff would make it "almost impossible to continue" trade with the US, which is currently worth €4.4 billion ($5.15 billion) a day.

Sefcovic said he and his negotiating team had felt they were "very close to an agreement" during the trade talks with the US.

But the turmoil created by the latest tariff threat should be ended, he said, adding that the bloc was prepared for "all outcomes."

"The current uncertainty caused by unjustified tariffs cannot persist indefinitely," Sefcovic told reporters. 

He added that "well-considered, proportionate countermeasures" would still be on the table if no deal could be reached.

New Trump tariffs threat upends negotiations with Mexico, EU

02:45

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How might the EU react to Trump's tariffs?

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday delayed — as a sign of good will — a package of retaliatory measures over previous US tariffs on steel and aluminium that was due to kick in on Monday.

But diplomats said another set of reprisal measures that could be launched if the 30% tariffs go ahead will be presented to trade ministers on Monday.

France's Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin said there should be "no taboos" in any retaliatory plans, adding that Trump's announcement meant that the bloc had to reconsider its tactis.

"If you hold anything back, you are not strengthening your hand in negotiations," he said at the Brussels talks. "Obviously, the situation since Saturday requires us to change our strategy."

Denmark's foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, also called for a firmer approach.

 "We want a deal but there's an old saying: 'if you want peace, you have to prepare for war'," he said ahead of the talks.

Germany's chancellor called for tough countermeasures if Trump's tariffs go throughImage: TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP

Merz says will work 'intensively' for deal

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said the two and a half weeks remaining till the August 1 deadline had to be used to reach a deal.

"I will be working on this really intensively," he told German public broadcaster ARD in an interview on Sunday.

He said that he, like French President Emmanuel Macron, was in favor of massive countertariffs if Trump's threat became reality, but "not before August 1."

Merz gave an urgent warning about the consequences for the German economy if no deal was reached.

"If that happened, then we could forget about much of our effort with regard to economic policy, because it would overshadow everything and hit Germany's export economy in its core."

Edited by: Saim Dušan Inayatullah

Timothy Jones Writer, translator and editor with DW's online news team.
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