The European Union plans to keep trying to get a deal with the United States despite receiving a letter threatening 30 percent tariffs.
In the letter, dated Friday, but only released over the weekend, US President Trump claims the US-EU trading relationship is “far from reciprocal”
“Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge The European Union a Tariff of only 30%”, Trump wrote.
The EU’s Trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, this morning said that such a tariff on EU goods would be ““prohibitive” to mutual trade.
“Imposing 30 percent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic”, warned European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, on Saturday.
EU trade ministers are meeting in Brussels today to discuss the implications.
Speaking from Brussels this morning, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD said the EU wants “to continue to work” to make a trade agreement with the US to reduce tariffs “to the lowest possible level”.
That is something the European Commission has promised to do. Countermeasures worth €30 billion, that were due to come into force today, have been delayed until August to allow time for more talks.
Maroš Šefčovič said he would speak to his US counterpart later today.
Thomas Byrne said a deal would be the best outcome.
If the EU and US were to reach an agreement it would protect jobs “not just in Ireland and in Europe, also in the United States of the America.”
“Tariffs are bad for everybody”, he added.