Brussels: The European Commission said on Monday that the EU Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic will hold a phone call later Monday with his U.S. counterpart, Howard Lutnick, as part of ongoing trade consultations between the two sides. Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho told reporters that "talks will resume as of this afternoon, with Commissioner Sefcovic holding a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of Trade Howard Lutnick."
According to Kuwait News Agency, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, after which she affirmed the EU's readiness to move forward "swiftly and decisively" in trade negotiations with the United States. This commitment from the EU comes at a time when both sides are keen to resolve trade tensions that have persisted over recent months.
President Trump also announced a delay in the implementation of 50 percent tariffs on imports from the European Union and agreed to extend the deadline for trade talks until 9 July. This extension is seen as a significant opportunity for both parties to negotiate terms that could avert further economic strain.