US President Donald Trump said on social media that he had a telephone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss geopolitical issues, trade relations between the EU and the United States, and tariff policy. According to him, the two sides also discussed broader regional security issues.
Trump mentioned what he called the "historic trade deal" agreed in Turnberry, Scotland, last July. He said the EU had committed to reducing tariffs to zero under the agreement, and warned that the bloc has until the 250th anniversary of the United States on July 4 to fulfill these commitments. According to Trump, non-fulfillment of obligations may lead to a significant increase in tariffs on EU products.
The EU-US trade agreement is still under consideration
As SteelOrbis previously reported,The proposed US-EU trade agreement will impose a 15 percent import duty on most EU goods, up from the previously threatened level of 30 percent. However, the agreement has not yet entered the implementation stage. , despite the fact that earlier this year the European Parliament reached a compromise on the terms of implementation.
According to media reports, Bernd Lange, chairman of the EU Parliament's trade committee, said that EU lawmakers and member states were continuing negotiations aimed at eliminating duties on American goods. He noted that progress is being made, although differences remain among some of the 27 EU member states regarding protective measures. Lange expressed confidence that an agreement can be reached during the next rounds of negotiations scheduled for May 12 or 19.
Trump is also discussing trade with Brazil
Trump also announced that he had completed negotiations with Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on trade relations and tariffs. According to Trump, the two sides discussed a variety of trade policy issues and agreed to continue negotiations through additional meetings in the coming months, if necessary.
