Trump and von der Leyen Discuss Trade Deal Amid Tariff Threats
In a crucial meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the growing tensions over trade, with Trump asserting that any future agreement would exclude pharmaceuticals and vowed that tariffs on EU goods would not fall below 15 percent. He also made inaccurate claims regarding American auto manufacturers’ access to the EU market, stating they were barred from selling their vehicles.
Sitting alongside Trump in the club ballroom, von der Leyen expressed her eagerness for the discussions, stating, “Our staff have done the heavy lifting, but it’s now on us. If we are successful, I think it would be the biggest deal each of us has ever struck.” She assessed the chances of reaching an agreement at 50-50.
The talks occur after a two-week standoff initiated by Trump, who had threatened in a letter to von der Leyen to increase tariffs on most EU goods to 30 percent unless a deal was finalized by August 1.
In a preliminary indication of progress, von der Leyen announced her plans to meet Trump in Scotland, where the U.S. president was visiting privately, suggesting a potential breakthrough in negotiations, reports 24brussels.
