EU ‘ready to negotiate’ following Trump’s latest tariff threat

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed on Thursday that the European Union maintains openness to diplomatic solutions with the United States, despite the intensifying tariff confrontation between the world’s largest trading partners.

“We’ve always maintained that we will defend our economic interests,” von der Leyen stated during her South African visit. “However, I must equally emphasise our readiness to engage in substantive negotiations.”

Her conciliatory remarks come in direct response to US President Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose punitive 200% tariffs specifically targeting European wines, champagnes and other alcoholic beverages—a move that would severely impact key EU export sectors, particularly in France, Italy and Spain.

This dramatic escalation follows the EU’s announcement on Wednesday of a comprehensive package of retaliatory measures against previous US steel and aluminium tariffs. The European countermeasures target approximately $28 billion of American exports through a phased implementation beginning in April, potentially affecting a wide range of US industries.

Speaking to journalists in Pretoria following diplomatic discussions with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, von der Leyen articulated the EU’s fundamental economic philosophy: “Our position on tariffs remains consistent—we view them as effectively taxes that ultimately harm both commercial interests and consumers alike.”

Von der Leyen revealed that immediate diplomatic channels had already been activated, with the EU’s Trade Commissioner currently engaged with their American counterpart. A critical telephone conference regarding the escalating tariff dispute has been scheduled for Friday, potentially offering the first opportunity to defuse tensions through direct high-level dialogue.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​