go to the original language article
The European Union will be ready for tough negotiations with the United States to protect its interests against the threat of increased trade tariffs, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said today.
“Our first priority is now to work on the many areas where our interests converge, from critical supply chains to emerging technologies. To settle any complaints and lay the foundation for a strong partnership,” von der Leyen said in her speech.
“We will be open and pragmatic about how we achieve it. But we will make it equally clear that we will always protect our interests – as and when needed,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel said today that US President Donald Trump will be constructive in trade talks with the EU to avoid a trade war and rising inflation in the US economy.
Bettel said before a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Warsaw: “all European products, if they have to pay much more for them, ultimately it is inflation. And I believe that Donald Trump was elected also to reduce inflation, not to increase inflation.”
The EU will respond with equivalent tariffs if the US imposes tariffs on European products, Bettel added.
“I know that usually the smartest one is the one who gives up,” he said. “But here it is something to which you must respond.” (2/4/2025)