'We are ready to negotiate with the US. We have offered zero tariffs for industrial goods,' said Von der Leyen
However, Von der Leyen also warned that the EU will not act naively in an increasingly complex global context. In that sense, she assured that countermeasures are being prepared to protect European interests, particularly against practices of "trade diversion that distort competition and unbalance exchanges."
"We are also prepared to respond with countermeasures and defend our interests", she emphasized.
The zero-tariff offer comes at a time of growing tensions between Europe and the United States, partly due to U.S. industrial subsidies under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which concern European partners. Meanwhile, both powers have sought ways to cooperate on strategic issues such as supply chain, energy security, and clean technologies.
The possibility of eliminating industrial tariffs would mark a significant advance in bilateral economic cooperation, with the potential to boost competitiveness and reduce costs for businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.
The European Union offered the United States a deal to eliminate tariffs on industrial goods trade, in a gesture aimed at strengthening transatlantic relations and facilitating trade flows. This was announced on Monday by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during an appearance alongside the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre.
"We are ready to negotiate with the United States. In fact, we have offered zero tariffs for industrial goods, as we have successfully done with many other trading partners," stated Von der Leyen.
The official emphasized that this offer reflects Brussels' willingness to advance mutually beneficial agreements, following the example of similar treaties the bloc has established with other economies. "Europe is always ready for a good deal, so we keep it on the table", she stated, in what was interpreted as a direct call to Donald Trump's administration.
