European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday said the European Union (EU) had received the “latest US document” for ongoing talks on tariffs, but did not share any specifics about Washington’s demands.
“All options remain on the table,” she told reporters following a EU summit in Brussels.
“We are assessing it,” von der Leyen said of the US proposal. “Our message today is clear. We are ready for a deal. At the same time, we are preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached.”
She said that the EU would “defend the European interest as needed”.
The US Trade Representative’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest US proposal.
Deadline Approaching
The US and EU have held a number of negotiating sessions in recent weeks, but the Trump administration’s attention has shifted to the conflict over Iran’s nuclear programme and keeping a trade truce with China on track.
A July 9 deadline set by US President Donald Trump for the EU and other countries to reach a tariff-reducing deal with the US is fast approaching.
Under Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs announced in April, the temporary 10% additional duty on EU imports would double to 20% if no deal is reached by the deadline.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that negotiating deadlines on some countries negotiating in good faith could be extended.
European officials are increasingly resigned to a 10% rate on “reciprocal” tariffs being the baseline in any trade deal between the United States and the European Union, sources familiar with the talks have told Reuters.
But the EU also is saddled with Trump’s 25% tariffs on autos, steel and aluminium and could face additional sectoral duties on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
France Bats For Quick, Pragmatic Deal
Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday told reporters that France wants a quick and pragmatic trade deal with the US, but that his country would not accept terms that were unbalanced.
If the US baseline tariff rate of 10% remained in place then Europe’s response would have to have an equivalent impact, he added.
The European Commission, led by von der Leyen, sets trade policy for France and other EU countries.
(With inputs from Reuters)
