**Strasbourg**: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, outlines plans to strengthen the EU’s internal market amid rising US tariffs. The Commission aims to negotiate from a position of strength while preparing countermeasures if necessary, as tensions in trade relations escalate.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg, asserting that the European Union (EU) intends to bolster the unity of its internal market in response to the recent trade tariffs imposed by the United States. During her address, von der Leyen pledged to “erase the remaining trade barriers between EU countries,” an initiative that signifies an enhancement of the Commission’s economic powers while potentially reducing the authority of individual member states in trade matters.
The European Commission has reportedly developed a plan for strict countermeasures, which will be activated if a negotiated resolution is not reached with the US. Von der Leyen emphasised that while the Commission is aiming for a negotiated solution, it intends to engage in discussions with the United States from a position of strength, leveraging the size of the European market, European technologies, and the services sector.
Von der Leyen also noted that the US has announced a temporary 25% increase in tariffs on imports of steel, aluminium, automobiles, and auto parts originating from the EU. However, an announcement regarding tariffs on additional products, including conductors, pharmaceuticals, and timber, is anticipated shortly.
In a related context, Olaf Scholz, acting Chancellor of Germany, expressed that the EU is prepared to respond with a united front against the US’s introduction of tariffs. Meanwhile, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico humorously remarked that von der Leyen “scolded” him for failing to resolve the issue of tariffs during his recent visit to the US.
Additionally, Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, called on US President Donald Trump to avoid escalating tensions with European nations and to refrain from imposing tariffs on their goods. These developments underscore the rising friction in trade relations between the EU and the US, as both sides navigate complex economic landscapes.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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