EU Leaders Vow to Protect Interests Amid Tariff Threat
Leaders seek trade resolution with US, prepare for potential countermeasures
As the US considers imposing new tariffs, the European Union is preparing to safeguard its interests. Officials are striving for a negotiated solution but readying responses to potential trade barriers.
EU’s Stance on Trade
Ursula Von Der Leyen, president of the European Commission, affirmed the EU’s dedication to reaching an agreement with the US by August 1. However, she cautioned that the EU would “take all the necessary measures to safeguard” your interests, “including the adoption of proportional contracted if necessary.”
She criticized the proposed 30% tariff on EU products, outlined in a letter from Donald Trump, warning it “would interrupt essential transatlantic supply chains over companies, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,”
Von Der Leyen emphasized the EU’s commitment to fair trade practices and its preference for a negotiated solution with the US, highlighting its dedication to dialogue and transatlantic partnership.
European Council’s Response
Echoing this sentiment, António Costa, President of the European Council, asserted the EU’s readiness to protect its interests. The EU “remains firm, united and ready to protect your interests”
he stated.
Free and fair trade drives prosperity, creates jobs and strengthens supply chains.
Tariffs are taxes. They fuel inflation, create uncertainty and hinder economic growth. We will continue to build strong trade partnerships worldwide.
The EU remains firm, united and ready to…
– António Costa (@eucopresident) July 12, 2025
In a message on X, Costa argued that “Tariffs are imposed. They feed inflation, create uncertainty and impair economic growth.”
He further stated that the EU will continue “to build strong business partnerships around the world.”
Support from European Leaders
Other European leaders have voiced their support for the negotiations led by Brussels while emphasizing the need to defend the EU’s interests.
Emmanuel Macron, the French President, expressed his full support for the European Commission’s efforts to intensify negotiations with the US. Simultaneously, Macron called for the EU to prepare “reliable answers”
to the 30% tariffs if negotiations fail.
Macron said that “It is more than ever to affirm the Union’s determination to resolutely defend European interests. This implies, in particular, to accelerate the preparation of credible countermeasures, mobilizing all the instruments at their disposal.”
Along with the President of the European Commission, France shares the same very strong disapproval at the announcement of horizontal 30% tariffs on EU exports to the United States from August 1st.
This announcement comes after weeks of intense engagement by the Commission in…
– Emmanuel Macron (@emmanuelmacron) July 12, 2025
German Response
Germany urged the European Commission to negotiate “pragmatically”
with Washington to reach a trade agreement, offering its full support for this approach.
Katherina Reiche, the German minister of the economy, stated, “It is now up to the EU, in the remaining time, pragmatically negotiate a solution with the United States to focus on the main conflict points.”
Industry Concerns
Industry leaders on the German side are urgently appealing to German, European, and American leaders to resolve the escalating trade war with the US. According to a recent report, trade tensions have already cost the German economy billions, with the automotive sector being particularly vulnerable (Reuters).
Wolfgang Niedermark, a member of the BDI Executive Council, described Trump’s announcement as “an alarm sign for the industry on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The German Industrial Association (BDI) is calling upon the German government, the European Commission, and the US government to engage in objective dialogue to find quick solutions and prevent further escalation.
Hildegard Mueller, president of the VDA, the German Automobile Association, lamented the “new climb of commercial conflict”
with the United States, cautioning about rising costs for suppliers and consumers. She added, “Costs for our companies are already raising thousands of millions and the amount increases every day.”
Mexico’s Perspective
Mexico views the potential 30% tariffs on its products as “unfair treatment.”
The country is actively pursuing an agreement with the US before the tariffs take effect.
The Mexican Ministry of the Economy announced that a bilateral working group is aiming to reach an alternative agreement with Washington regarding the 30% tariffs before the August 1 deadline.
