Tariffs: António Costa wants a “firm” position from the European Union

The US announcement of 30% tariffs on the European Union (EU) has led European leaders to support negotiations for an agreement, with the French president calling for the defense of European interests, while Berlin wants to negotiate "pragmatically." European Council President António Costa argued that the EU must remain "firm, united, and ready" to protect its interests while "building strong trade partnerships around the world."

Emmanuel Macron "fully" supports the European Commission in "intensifying" negotiations with the United States, although he warned that the European Commission needs to prepare "credible responses" to the 30% tariffs imposed by Washington on European products. "France fully supports the European Commission in the negotiations that will intensify to reach a mutually acceptable agreement by August 1st," Macron declared on social media.

However, the French president demanded that the Commission, if negotiations fail to materialize, "accelerate the preparation of credible responses by mobilizing all available instruments." Macron also expressed confidence that Brussels "will affirm the (European) Union's determination to defend European interests."

The German Economy Minister, meanwhile, called for the EU to negotiate "pragmatically" with the US. "It is now up to the EU, in the remaining time, to pragmatically negotiate a solution with the United States that focuses on the main points of conflict," Katherina Reiche said in a statement, adding that the European Commission has her "support in this approach."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also responded by supporting the European Commission's negotiations to negotiate an agreement with the United States to end "unjustified tariffs." In a message posted on the social network X, he wrote that "economic openness and trade create prosperity, but unjustified tariffs destroy it." "That is why we support and will continue to support the Commission in its negotiations to reach an agreement with the US before August 1st. United, we Europeans constitute the largest trading bloc in the world. Let us use this strength to reach a fair agreement," he added.

It should be noted that Trump announced that he will impose 30% tariffs on EU products starting August 1st, in a letter addressed to the President of the European Commission, published on the Truth Social platform. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Brussels remains willing to negotiate.