The Commissioner of the European Union (EU) on trade, Marosh Shefchovich, said that trade negotiations between the EU and the United States should be held on the basis of mutual respect, not threats. The European Commissioner wrote about this on social networks after US President Donald Trump proposed introducing 50 percent duties on goods from the EU.
Shefchovich noted that he talked with US Minister of Trade, Howard Lutnik and US trade representative Jamison Greek.
EU is determined to conclude a trade agreement that will benefit both parties, ”he emphasized.
“Trade between the EU and the USA is unique and should be based on mutual respect, not threats,” Shefchovich believes.
The European Commission is ready to work in good faith on a trade agreement. “We are ready to defend our interests,” he said.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said Truth Social in his social network that trade negotiations with the EU do not lead to anything.
“Therefore, I recommend introducing a direct tariff of 50% in relation to the European Union from June 1, 2025,” he wrote.
Duties will not be charged from goods produced in the United States, ”said the president.
US Minister of Finance Scott Immordin, in turn, said that Trump does not consider the EU trading proposals in the negotiations quite “quality”, and also expressed the hope that the introduction of duties will “push the EU to action”.