The message in Brussels remains that the priority is to reach a trade agreement with Donald Trump. This is the official version and what the European Union desires. The actions only reaffirm this stance, as the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, decided yesterday to postpone the 21 billion in tariffs that were set to take effect today, which would have been the initial response to the tariffs that the United States had already imposed on European steel, aluminum, and vehicles.
This means that the EU will not implement its response to tariffs that are already in effect, and furthermore, will not take any action for now even though the U.S. President announced on Saturday that a 30% tariff will be applied to European products starting August 1.
"We will extend the suspension of our countermeasures until early August," stated Von der Leyen yesterday in the press conference she held on Sunday in Brussels. "We have always been very clear that we prefer a negotiated solution. This remains the case. And we will use the time we have until August 1," she added.
However, the reality is that such an agreement now seems highly unlikely, which is why Brussels is working on two fronts. One, as indicated from the beginning, is to also respond with tariffs to the trade war. In addition to the 21 billion on products such as diamonds, soybeans, or Harley Davidson motorcycles, a second set of measures worth up to 100,000 billion will be added.
"We have developed a second potential list of countermeasures that has already been agreed upon but we have not reached that point yet. This is very important. This is now the time for negotiations. But this also shows that we are prepared for all scenarios," Von der Leyen emphasized yesterday when mentioning the additional package.
The other approach is to explore new trade agreements, and yesterday the President of the Commission announced a significant one with Indonesia. The timing and day, on a Sunday, do not seem coincidental. "This major and important political agreement on a free trade treaty is a significant milestone and demonstrates that we are seeking new markets, open markets," Von der Leyen stated in the presence of the Prime Minister of the Asian country, Prabowo Subianto.
"After ten years of negotiations, we have made great progress," continued the German official. "We live in turbulent times, and when economic uncertainty combines with geopolitical volatility, partners like us must come closer," she added, reiterating a message that has been common since Trump took office: that the EU is a predictable, open territory, and new investors are very welcome.
Prime Minister Subianto also praised the European Union. He made it clear that the United States will always be a "very important leader in the world." The most important, in fact, which is why Europe insists on reaching some kind of agreement with Trump.
"But Europe is also a very important factor in world civilization. Europe is at the forefront of many sciences, technologies. And it always leads the world in defending democratic and human values. So we consider Europe a very relevant factor and we would like to see a very strong Europe," emphasized the leader of the fourth most populous country in the world with 285 million inhabitants.
Returning to the strategy of seeking new trade agreements, Brussels has always pointed out that agreements with Mercosur or Mexico will also be very important, and it remains to be seen what stance will be taken with China. At the end of this month, there will be a summit in the Asian country bringing together the European Commission and China. This meeting will take place amidst trade tensions between both parties but also with Trump as a common trade adversary.
And earlier, this Monday, the Trade and Agriculture Ministers of the 27 EU countries will meet in Brussels. Representing Spain will be Carlos Cuerpo and Luis Planas. The former, who withdrew his candidacy to preside over the Eurogroup last week even before the vote took place, lamented on Saturday "the increase in U.S. tariffs to 30%." "A harmful measure for everyone. We continue to support the Commission in seeking a negotiated solution and defending European interests," he pointed out on his X social media profile.