“We are developing retaliation,” said Ursula von der Leyen, explaining that for the first time they may include the EU “anti -anti -” “instrument, which will potentially hit the export of services. – there is a wide range of remedies […] in case the negotiations are not satisfying.
She said that this may include duties on the exchange of services between the USA and the EU, emphasizing that The exact measures will depend on the result of talks with Washington: – An example would be imposing a fee to revenues from digital services advertisements.
This agent would be a tariff used throughout the entire single market. This is different from digital sales taxes, which are imposed individually by Member States. Von der Leyen, heading the EU executive power, said that Trump's trade war caused a “total break in global trade”.
“This is undoubtedly a turning point in relations with the United States,” she said. – We will never return to status quo.
– There are no winners in this, There are only losers She continued, referring to turmoil on stock markets and bonds. – Today we see the costs of chaos […]. The costs of uncertainty we experience today will be high.
“We want to negotiate a solution that will be best for all of us”
Referring to the need to negotiate with Washington, the Commission suspended the planned retaliation on ThursdayAgainst the American Steel and Aluminum, which were imposed last month. These funds would hit the US imports worth around EUR 21 billion (approx. PLN 90 billion), including poultry, orange juice and yachts.
Von der Leyen, which supervises commercial policy on behalf of 27 EU Member States, said that The commission had previously tried to negotiate with the USAbut she was ordered to wait for Trump's announcement from April 2, who imposed a 20 % “mutual” customs tariff on the EU.
Dati Bendo / Financial Times
Ursula von der Leyen during an interview with the editor of “Financial Times” by Roula Khalaf and the head of the Brussels editorial office Henry Foy
She publicly proposed a “zero zero” tariff agreement for industrial goods, but she did not meet with the interest of Washington. Local officials complain about the alleged non -disarf EU trade barriers, such as VAT and product standards.
Von der leyen said that is open to a discussion on the unification of EU and USA standardsbut she said that it would probably bring limited results.
– I think that it is absolutely worth looking at where we can adapt our standards and standards to facilitate business. So I am open to it She said. – However, we should not raise expectations too much, because […] There are often different standards because there are differences in the way of life and culture.
She ruled out the search “untouchable” EU regulations regarding digital content and market forcewhich Trump officials perceive as a tax on American Big Tech companies. The EU will also not negotiate on VAT, which according to her is the equivalent of the American sales tax: – This is not in negotiating packages, because these are our sovereign decisions.
Continuation of the material under the video
If the negotiations are unsuccessful, The EU automatically reactivates retaliation Planned in response to American duties on steel and aluminum. In addition, von der Leyen said that further remedies on the so -called Trump's mutual duties can be aimed at a huge surplus of US services from the EU. In his commercial data, the US President has only goods, excluding services exported to the rest of the world.
– Companies offering services do good business on this [unijnym] market. And the vast majority of services, 80 percent services, comes from the USA. So once again, we want to negotiate a solution that will be best for all of us – she said.
In this one issue, the US and the EU agree
In addition to potential focus on trade in von der leyen, she said that Brussels is also considering such moves as Possible imposition of a fee for scrap export to the USA. Deliveries from the European Union are very desirable by the American steel steels.
Referring to the potential effect of the domino of the global trade war, von der Leyen said that The EU will “not tolerate” redirecting Chinese goods affected by American duties to Europe, adding that Brussels will “take protective measures” if the new monitoring mechanism detects the growth of Chinese import.
Von der Leyen said that she caught the Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in a telephone conversation this week, and he replied that “Such a risk does not exist because they will stimulate consumption in China”.
EPA / BAI LU / PAP
Li Qiang, Prime Minister of the Chinese People's Republic, during the Opening ceremony of the Chinese Development Forum. Beijing, March 23, 2025
Regardless of the result of negotiations with the USA, Trump's policy has radically changed global trade relationsas von der Leyen said, and stimulated conversations between the EU and the powers, including Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.
– [Jest] Interest in so many countries around the world to cooperate with us Closer, together, to balance the system and that free trade really competes with quality, not customs tariffs, ”said von der Leyen.
Both the US and the EU agree that The rules of the World Trade Organization did not provide equal opportunitiesbecause China subsidizes part of their production, flooding world markets. The trade war has now evoked discussions about “as we can modernize, reform and stabilize the WTO”.
– But The pressure must be placed on modernization and reformsit can't be the behavior of what we have today because there are too many difficulties – she said. “I mean, never to waste a good crisis.”
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
