Until July 9th, the European Union needs the American commercial talks, the president says

The European Union president said she is ready to move “quickly” to agree on a trade agreement with the United States, but it says that the bloc needs until July 9 to agree on a “good deal.”

UNHCR president Ursula von der Layen said she had a “good invitation” with US President Donald Trump on Sunday – two days after his frustration with the pace of negotiations with the European Union and threatened to impose a 50 % tariff.

Trump announced last month a 20 % tariff for most European Union commodities, but later took it to 10 % until July 8 to allow time for negotiations.

Von der Layen said that Europe is “ready to advance in conversations quickly and decisively” and “to get a good deal, we will need time until July 9.”

In statements to reporters at the White House on Friday afternoon, hours before talks with the bloc, Trump said he intends to raise the tariffs on all the goods sent to the United States from the European Union to 50 % by June 1, citing the patience of negotiations.

Later on Friday, European Union Trade President Marus Ofoviofe again confirmed the bloc’s commitment to securing a fair deal.

After an invitation with the American commercial actor, Jameson Jarir and Minister of Trade Howard Lottenic, he said: “The European Union is completely involved, committed to securing a deal that works for both.”

He continued: “The European Union trade and the United States are unparalleled and must be guided by mutual respect, not threats. We are ready to defend our interests.”

Trump has long criticized what has been seen as an unfair trade relationship with the European Union, although the bloc is one of the largest trade partners in Washington. Last year, the European Union exported more than 600 billion dollars (528 billion euros; 443 billion pounds) from goods to the United States with the import of 370 billion dollars, according to US government data.

The president specifically raised concerns about trade in cars and agricultural commodities. Although some definitions have stopped earlier this year to allow negotiations, a 25 % tax on steel in the European Union and aluminum is still in place.

European leaders continue to warn of escalation. France and Germany called for a diplomatic solution, stressing that the customs tariff will harm the two economies.

The European Union has threatened – and stopped temporarily – its measures against the United States.

She said that she would provide a 25 % tariff over 18 billion euros (20 billion dollars; 15 billion pounds) of American goods coming to Europe, but this was suspended.

The bloc is also currently with additional measures against US imports in the United States worth 95 billion euros.