European Union wants early U.S. talks to avert Trump tariffs

EU seeks swift engagement with US on tariffs to protect interests, aiming for strong partnership through negotiations.

The European Union wants to engage swiftly with the United States over President Donald Trump's planned tariffs, trade chief Maros Sefcovic said on Tuesday (February 4, 2025), while his boss Ursula von der Leyen stressed the bloc would protect its interests in negotiations.

Mr. Sefcovic, speaking before a meeting of EU ministers to debate trade and EU competitiveness, said he wanted "early engagement" and was awaiting confirmation of the appointment of Trump's pick for Commerce Secretary, financier Howard Lutnick.

"We are ready to engage immediately and we hope that through this early engagement, we can avoid the measures which would bring a lot of disturbance to the most important trade and investment relationship on this planet," he told reporters.

Von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said the EU executive's first priority was to work on the many areas where EU and U.S. interests converge, such as critical supply chains and emerging technologies.

In a speech in Brussels, she said the EU was ready for tough negotiations to work out grievances and set the foundations for a stronger partnership.

"We will be open and pragmatic in how to achieve that. But we will make it equally clear that we will always protect our own interests – however and whenever that is needed," Von der Leyen said.

EU officials say contacts with the Trump administration have been limited so far, noting that Trump's picks for top jobs are not able to speak to foreign counterparts until their positions have been confirmed. Von der Leyen and Mr. Trump have not been in contact since Trump's inauguration.