Customs duties: European Union wants to discuss with the United States this Monday, but is growing impatient with Trump

The European Union still hopes to reach an agreement with the United States after Donald Trump's renewed threats to impose 30% tariffs on August 1, but patience is running out, the EU's chief negotiator and European trade ministers said Monday. "I intend to speak again with my American counterparts later today, because I cannot imagine leaving things as they are without a real effort," said European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic. But, he added, "we must prepare for all eventualities, including, if necessary, proportionate and well-calibrated countermeasures to restore balance to our transatlantic relationship."

The US president's decision, announced in a letter made public on Saturday, has cast a chill as trade negotiations between Brussels and Washington continue ahead of the August 1 deadline. "The current uncertainty caused by unjustified customs duties cannot last indefinitely," Maros Sefcovic stressed. "Obviously, the situation since Saturday must lead us to change our approach," French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin added in Brussels on Monday, ahead of a meeting of EU ministers. And there must be "no taboos," he insisted, including announcing the first reprisals on Monday. "We want an agreement, but there is an old saying that says: 'If you want peace, you must prepare for war,'" said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

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The President of the European Commission, which negotiates on behalf of EU member states, Ursula von der Leyen, has chosen to play it safe for the time being, under pressure in particular from countries, such as Germany, whose sales to the United States represent the largest share of total EU exports. She announced on Sunday that the European Union would not retaliate for the time being against US tariffs on steel and aluminum, in the hope of reaching a less painful agreement. "We have always been very clear that we prefer a negotiated solution. This remains the case and we will use the time we now have until August 1," said Ursula von der Leyen. Diplomats, however, stressed that a package of additional retaliatory measures would be presented to ministers on Monday, measures that could be implemented if Donald Trump does indeed opt for 30% tariffs on imports from the European Union.

The EU already threatened in May to impose tariffs on around €100 billion worth of US goods, including cars and aircraft, if negotiations failed - even though one diplomat suggested the final list had been reduced to €72 billion. European countries are trying to remain united in this matter, although their economies are not equally exposed to the US president's tariff wrath. Emmanuel Macron urged the European Commission on Saturday to "resolutely defend European interests" and "accelerate the preparation of credible countermeasures."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz agreed with the French president on Sunday, adding that he had spoken with him, Ursula von der Leyen, and Donald Trump in recent days. He said he wanted to be "intensively" involved in trying to reach a solution. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned on Sunday against the prospect of a "trade war" within the Western world. "Europe has the economic and financial power to assert its position and reach a fair and common-sense agreement. Italy will do its part. As always," she said in a statement, while her opposition accused her of lacking firmness in dealing with Washington. Since returning to the US presidency in January, Donald Trump has imposed fluctuating and widespread tariffs on his allies and competitors, disrupting financial markets and fueling fears of a global economic slowdown.