Audio By Carbonatix
The EU's chief has said she is ready to move "swiftly" to agree a trade deal with the United States, but says the bloc needs until 9 July to agree a "good deal".
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said she had a "good call" with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, two days after he expressed frustration with the pace of negotiations with the EU and threatened to impose 50% tariffs.
Trump last month announced a 20% tariff on most EU goods, but later halved it to 10% until 8 July to allow time for negotiations.
Von der Leyen said Europe was "ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively" and "to reach a good deal, we would need the time until 9 July".
In remarks to reporters at the White House on Friday afternoon, hours before talks with the bloc, Trump said he planned to raise tariffs on all goods sent to the US from the EU to 50% by 1 June, citing impatience at negotiations.
Later on Friday, the EU's trade chief Maroš Šefčovič reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to securing a fair deal.
Following a call with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, he said: "The EU's fully engaged, committed to securing a deal that works for both."
He continued: "EU-US trade is unmatched and must be guided by mutual respect, not threats. We stand ready to defend our interests."
Trump has long criticised what he views as an unfair trade relationship with the EU, despite the bloc being one of Washington's largest trading partners. Last year, the EU exported more than $600bn (€528bn; £443bn) in goods to the US while importing $370bn worth, according to US government data.
The president has specifically raised concerns on trade in cars and agricultural goods. Although some tariffs were paused earlier this year to allow for negotiations, a 25% levy on EU steel and aluminium remains in place.
European leaders continue to warn against escalation. France and Germany have called for a diplomatic solution, stressing that tariffs would harm both economies.
The EU has threatened - and paused - its own measures against the US.
It said it would introduce a 25% tariff on €18bn ($20bn; £15bn) worth of US goods coming into Europe, but this was put on hold.
The bloc is also currently consulting on additional measures against US imports into the US valued at €95bn.
Latest Stories
-
Government to deploy 60,000 surveillance cameras nationwide to tackle cybercrime
9 minutes -
Ghana DJ Awards begins 365-day countdown to 2026 event
13 minutes -
Making Private University Charters Optional in Ghana: Implications and Opportunities
13 minutes -
Mampong tragedy: Students among 30 injured as curve crash kills three
23 minutes -
Ken Agyapong salutes farmers, promises modernisation agenda for agriculture
33 minutes -
Team Ghana wins overall best project award at CALA Advanced Leadership Programme graduation
35 minutes -
FIFA gives President Donald Trump a peace prize at 2026 World Cup draw
41 minutes -
2025 National Best Farmer urges government to prioritise irrigation infrastructure
54 minutes -
EPA CEO to be installed as Nana Ama Kum I, Mpuntu Hemaa of Abura traditional area
1 hour -
Mahama to launch School Agriculture Programme, requiring farms across all schools
1 hour -
Tanzania blocks activists online as independence day protests loom
1 hour -
ECOWAS launches new regional projects to strengthen agriculture and livestock systems
2 hours -
ECOWAS mediation and security council holds 43rd Ambassadorial-Level Meeting in Abuja
2 hours -
Two dead, 13 injured in fatal head-on collision on Anyinam–Enyiresi highway
2 hours -
International Day for PwDs: The unbroken spirit of a 16-year-old disabled visual artist
3 hours
