Politics

BREAKING: EU Caves To Trump, Offers ‘Zero-For-Zero’ Tariffs On Industrial Goods

Published

10 months ago

April 7, 2025

The European Union declared on Monday that its members are “ready to negotiate” with President Donald Trump three days after a devastating wave of tariffs have left their imprint on exports bound for the U.S.

In prepared remarks, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen insisted that Europe “is always ready for a good deal,” underscoring a theme that President Trump has sought to strike since leveeing the tariffs last week. Von der Leyen’s speech is the most high-profile instance of a European leader appearing to acknowledge that the E.U. would not be able to maintain its trade surplus against the U.S. for much longer.

“We have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods as we have successfully done with many other trading partners,” the German politician said before welcoming Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre to Brussels.

The tariffs, she added, “come … at immense costs for US consumers and businesses,” as she insisted the EU “stand ready to negotiate with the United States.”

The EU will remain prepared to “respond through countermeasures and defend our interests” as it looked to step up its protection against “indirect effects [of] trade diversion,” Von de Leyen stated, according to the Guardian.

The next step toward nullifying U.S.-E.U. tariffs will take place later this week when the European leader meets with politicians from other E.U. nations to discuss “strengthening our single market [by] getting rid of remaining barriers.”

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E.U. trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič appeared to acknowledge the lack of bargaining position against Trump, saying the continent is backed into a “tough spot” at remarks later in the day.

“70% of our total exports are facing tariffs of 20% of 25% or even higher,” he told reporters before a meeting with U.S. counterparts where he promised to stress that “the E.U.-U.S. trade relationship could benefit from a fresh look and a boost in strategic areas,” noting both markets “face similar challenges.”

President Trump notched several wins in the run-up to “Liberation Day,” or last week’s announcement leveeing sharp new tariffs on more than 60 countries around the world.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum preempted the news by stating that her country would not seek reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports following 25% tariffs placed on aluminum and steel from Mexico. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who suspended most U.S. tariffs in his country last week, will be meeting with President Trump at the White House on Monday, affording him the first chance by a global leader to discuss the need for fairer deals between both countries going forward.