Trump's recent tariff hike announcement signals challenges to achieving a negotiated resolution in the US trade war. The European Commission remains committed to negotiations but is acknowledging the need for readiness against a trade war. French President Macron emphasized the urgency for the Commission to defend European interests, suggesting the quick development of countermeasures. August 1 serves as a critical deadline, and Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is preparing for multiple scenarios while delaying formal responses until that date.
The tariff hike that Donald Trump announced by letter to the EU and to Mexico is the latest evidence that a negotiated end to the trade war with the United States, beneficial to both sides and eagerly sought by Brussels, will be very difficult to achieve. The European Commission must clarify how real it sees the chances for an agreement, but it can no longer sidestep the reality of preparing for a trade war.
French President Emmanuel Macron was very explicit in posts on the social network X, supporting the Commission while pressuring it to assert the Union's determination to resolutely defend European interests. This implies speeding up the preparation of credible countermeasures.
August 1 is now the date to watch, the new deadline unilaterally set by Trump and once again accepted by Brussels in its eagerness to negotiate and avoid provocations. The president of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, implicitly acknowledged this by delaying any response until early August.
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