Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump will meet when a deal is ready to be done, said an EU spokesperson on Monday.
The European Commission President and US President shook hands ahead of the Pope’s funeral over the weekend and during their “brief exchange…agreed to meet”, according to an EU source.
But a meeting has not yet been scheduled.
The EU and the US have the largest trading relationship in the world, worth €1.6 trillion.
That relationship is under strain due to tariffs imposed by the US and also with Trump’s wavering commitment to European security.
Asked on Monday when the meeting would take place, von der Leyen’s chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, said “the right moment for it will be when there is a package to be agreed upon at the level of the two presidents.”
“So for the moment we don’t have a specific date for such a meeting.”
She later clarified:
“There are a number of issues on the table.
We think of tariffs, notably, and you know that there are discussions ongoing, so when the moment is ripe to have a discussion and an agreement at the level of the two presidents, at the highest level between the United States and the European Union, then that will be the good moment to meet.”
Although Trump has paused 20 percent tariffs on most EU goods, his global 10 percent tariff remains in place, as do his sector specific 25 percent tariffs on steel, aluminium and cars.
Trump has also threatened tariffs on EU pharmaceuticals, an important sector for Ireland.
The EU has put all retaliation on pause whilst negotiations continue.
The EU wants a “zero for zero” tariffs deal for all industrial products to be agreed with the US.
It is also hoping to entice the US with promises to buy more LNG gas from the Americans.
Meanwhile, Tánaiste and Trade Minister, Simon Harris TD, has meet meeting with business leaders to discuss the tariff issue.
“As we know the US announced the suspension of the higher tariffs signalled on 2 April for a period of 90 days. However, the global ‘baseline tariff’ of 10 percent and sector specific tariffs on steel and aluminium and the automotive sector would remain”, he said.
“The Government welcomes this move by the US. We equally welcome that Commission President von der Leyen has confirmed that EU counter measures would be put on hold for 90 days.
“Ireland’s consistent position remains that we need to get into a substantive, calm, measured and comprehensive dialogue with the United States. This is also position of the EU.”