Brussels: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union is prepared to advance trade discussions with the United States in a swift and decisive manner. This announcement comes as both parties aim to finalize a trade agreement by the deadline of July 9.
According to Kuwait News Agency, von der Leyen shared this intention following a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump. She highlighted the significance of the trade relationship between the EU and the US, emphasizing their shared goal of reaching a beneficial deal. The conversation underscored the urgency to progress on negotiations amidst rising tensions.
The trade relationship has been under strain due to President Trump's recent comments, where he threatened to impose tariffs of up to 50 percent on European goods starting in early June. He expressed frustration, remarking that the trade talks were not yielding results. Von der Leyen's statement aims to reassure both sides of the EU's commitment to reaching a successful agreement within the proposed timeline.