The ongoing trade tensions between the United States and the European Union have reached a critical phase, threatening to escalate into a full-blown trade war. The EU has expressed its willingness to accelerate negotiations with the US over tariffs, but talks have stalled due to President Donald Trump's delay of a 50% tariff hike until July.
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic has warned that US President Trump's tariffs endanger not just the US economy but also those of Europe. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil echoed these sentiments, calling for "serious negotiations" with his US counterpart, warning that US tariffs harm both economies.
The EU claims it is unclear what Washington wants from the negotiations, while Trump accuses the bloc of slow-walking talks and unfairly targeting American companies. The EU has threatened to retaliate with tariffs worth nearly $113 billion on US goods if negotiations fail to produce a deal. This move is in response to a trade deficit in services where American firms dominate.
Brussels and Washington have been negotiating to avoid a transatlantic trade war, but Trump's recent statement has raised tensions. The EU's stance is clear: it wants trade ties based on mutual respect, not threats.