Skip next section French President Macron calls for speedy preparation of ‘countermeasures’
07/12/2025July 12, 2025
French President Macron calls for speedy preparation of ‘countermeasures’
French President said his country, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, “shares the same very strong disapproval at the announcement,” which comes “after weeks of intense engagement.”
“With European unity, it is more than ever up to the Commission to assert the Union’s determination to resolutely defend European interests,” Macron posted on X.
The French president added that the bloc would need to speed up “the preparation of credible countermeasures” if no agreement is reached by August 1, when the new tariffs will begin to take effect.
The EU has the ability to enact the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) which allows it to retaliate against countries seeking to pressure its members. It has been repeatedly brought up as a possible response to Trump’s threats.
It can limit access to companies from those countries to public procurement tenders and target services trade or investment.
At the same time, Macron said he hopes “a mutually acceptable agreement” will be reached by then and that “France fully supports the European Commission in the negotiations, which will now intensify.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4xMwM
Skip next section ‘Crucial’ to focus on EU-US trade negotiations, says Giorgia Meloni’s office
07/12/2025July 12, 2025
‘Crucial’ to focus on EU-US trade negotiations, says Giorgia Meloni’s office
Italian Prime Minister office has issued a response to President Donald Trump’s announcement of a , saying:
“We trust in the goodwill of all players in the field in order to reach a fair agreement that can strengthen the West as a whole, given that — particularly in the current scenario — it would make no sense to trigger a trade clash between the two sides of the Atlantic.
“It is now crucial to remain focused on the negotiations, avoiding polarisations that would make reaching an agreement more complex.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4xMtZ
Skip next section Dutch government offers ‘full support’ for EU response to US tariffs
07/12/2025July 12, 2025
Dutch government offers ‘full support’ for EU response to US tariffs
Netherlands’ caretaker prime minister, Dick Schoof, has also issued his response to US tariff of 30% on EU goods.
“The US announcement of 30% tariffs on goods imported from the European Union is concerning and not the way forward,” Schoof said.
“The European Commission can count on our full support. As the EU we must remain united and resolute in pursuing an outcome with the United States that is mutually beneficial.”
Dick Schoof is in charge of the Dutch government in a caretaker role until a new government is formed after , scheduled for the second half of this year.
https://p.dw.com/p/4xMtm
Skip next section German economy minister calls for ‘pragmatic’ tariff solution
07/12/2025July 12, 2025
German economy minister calls for ‘pragmatic’ tariff solution
Germany’s Economy Minister said that the US tariffs “would hit European exporting companies hard.”
“At the same time, they would also have a strong impact on the economy and consumers on the other side of the Atlantic,” Reiche said in an emailed statement.
“A pragmatic outcome to the negotiations must be reached quickly,” she added.
You can read more of the .
https://p.dw.com/p/4xMtn
Skip next section German car lobby VDA warns against tariff escalation
07/12/2025July 12, 2025
German car lobby VDA warns against tariff escalation
The president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry VDA said in a statement that and that the “EU and US must continue to find a solution as quickly as possible to avert the impending consequences on both sides of the Atlantic.”
“It is regrettable that there is a threat of further escalation of the trade conflict and that a solution has still not been found for the tariffs of 27.5% on car imports to the USA, which remain in force,” said Hildegard Mueller, president of VDA.
“The costs for our companies are already in the billions — and the sum is growing every day. Suppliers are also significantly affected — also in light of the additional 30% tariffs on goods from Mexico that have now been announced.”
German Chancellor earlier this month urged the EU to settle the tariff dispute with the US as quickly as possible to protect core industries like cars, steel and pharmaceuticals.
German car companies have been shipping more vehicles to the US over the past months in an attempt to get ahead of any tariffs.
Trump had threatened to impose 50% tariffs if the EU failed to clinch a deal by July 9, a deadline that then got pushed back to August. But now he has announced new tariffs of 30% starting August 1.
https://p.dw.com/p/4xMrZ
Skip next section EU ready to support ‘fair agreement’ with the US, says European Council president
07/12/2025July 12, 2025
EU ready to support ‘fair agreement’ with the US, says European Council president
European Council President Antonio Costa said the 27-member bloc stood ready to support the European Commission’s efforts “to reach a fair agreement with the US.”
“Free and fair trade drives prosperity, creates jobs and strengthens supply chains. Tariffs are taxes. They fuel inflation, create uncertainty and hinder economic growth. We will continue to build strong trade partnerships worldwide,” Costa wrote in a post published on X.
“The EU remains firm, united and ready to protect our interests, in full support of President von der Leyen and the Commission’s efforts to reach a fair agreement with the US,” he added.
The European Council defines the general political priorities of the bloc, while the European Commission is the executive arm and is responsible for trade policy.
https://p.dw.com/p/4xMr0
Skip next section WATCH: EU faces dilemma as Trump renews tariff threat at 30%
07/12/2025July 12, 2025
WATCH: EU faces dilemma as Trump renews tariff threat at 30%
Weeks of trade deal negotiations with Brussels seem not to have eased Trump’s accusations of “long-term and persistent trade deficits” against the EU.
How are EU leaders reacting to the US President’s announcement on Saturday? DW reports from Brussels.
https://p.dw.com/p/4xMqz
Skip next section German industry lobby calls to find ‘solutions very quickly’ to Trump tariffs
07/12/2025July 12, 2025
German industry lobby calls to find ‘solutions very quickly’ to Trump tariffs
The German industry trade association BDI has called for urgent talks to resolve an escalating trade war as US President Trump threatened to impose 30% tariffs on imports from the European Union.
“President Trump’s announcement is an alarm signal for industry on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Wolfgang Niedermark, a member of the executive board of the BDI said in a statement.
“The BDI calls on the German government, the European Commission and the US administration to find solutions very quickly in an objective dialogue and to avoid an escalation,” he added.
The , the biggest in Europe, is heavily reliant on exports and thus particularly vulnerable to a trade war with the US.
https://p.dw.com/p/4xMqf
Skip next section EU says ready to continue working toward a deal after Trump threatens 30% tariffs
07/12/2025July 12, 2025
EU says ready to continue working toward a deal after Trump threatens 30% tariffs
European Commission President said the EU is prepared to take the necessary steps to safeguard its economic interests if the US proceeds with imposing a 30% tariff rate on EU exports.
Von der Leyen, who heads the EU’s executive arm, said in a statement that the bloc remained ready “to continue working towards an agreement by Aug 1.”
“Few economies in the world match the level of openness and adherence to fair trading practices,” she continued.
“We will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4xMk6
Skip next section Welcome to our blog07/12/2025July 12, 2025
Welcome to our blog
Good afternoon and welcome to our Saturday coverage following rate on all goods coming into the US from the EU.
The EU was bracing for the announcement since it failed to strike a trade deal with the US after it said it would levy a 20% import tax, or tariff, on EU goods in April, aimed at reducing the US trade deficit.
Follow along as we bring you the latest updates and reactions in this new chapter of the saga.
https://p.dw.com/p/4xMoG
The post EU vows to defend economic interests in the face of new US tariffs, says will continue to work toward a deal. Follow live. appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
