EU wants to move ‘quickly’ for the American trade agreement, says Chief

The EU chief has said that she is ready to “move” quickly to agree a trade agreement with the United States and has a “good phone call” with US President Donald Trump after his threat of 50% rates on the block.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said she spoke to Trump on Sunday – two days after he expressed frustration about the pace of negotiations with the EU.

Trump announced a rate of 20% last month on most EU goods, but later stopped up to 10% until 8 July to allow time for negotiations.

Von der Leyen said that Europe was “ready to continue conversations quickly and decisively” and “to achieve a good deal, we would need time until July 9”.

In comments to reporters in the White House on Friday afternoon hours before he became conversations, Trump said he was planning to increase rates on all goods sent to the US to 50% before 1 June, under the negotiations under the negotiations.

Later on Friday, the EU trading leader, Maroš Šefčovič, confirmed the dedication of the block to close a fair deal.

After a call with the American trade representative Jamieson Greer and commercial secretary Howard Lutnick, he said: “The EU is fully involved, dedicated to closing a deal that works for both.”

He continued: “EU-us trade is unparalleled and must be led by mutual respect, no threats. We are ready to defend our interests.”

Trump has long criticized what he regards as an unfair trade relationship with the EU, despite the fact that the block is one of Washington’s largest trading partners. Last year the EU exported more than $ 600 billion (€ 528 billion; £ 443 billion) to the US while importing $ 370 billion value, according to data from the US government.

The president has specifically expressed concern about the trade in cars and agricultural products. Although some rates were paused earlier this year to allow negotiations, a levying of 25% remains on EU steel and aluminum.

European leaders continue to warn of escalation. France and Germany have called for a diplomatic solution, and emphasizes that rates would harm both economies.

The EU has threatened its own measures against the US – and paused -.

It said that it would introduce a rate of 25% at € 18 billion ($ 20 billion; £ 15 billion) in American goods that came to Europe, but this was put on hold.

The Blok is currently also consulting with additional measures against the US input in the US with a value of € 95 billion.