U.S. and European Union announce a trade framework
A White House deadline was days away from imposing punishing import taxes on the 27-member EU, which is America's leading global trading partner.
'It was a very interesting negotiation. I think it's going to be great for both parties,' Trump said.
The make-or-break talks were meant to head off trade penalties — and promised retaliation from Europe — that could have sent shock waves through economies around the globe.
Trump and Von der Leyen held private talks at one of Trump's golf courses in Scotland, then emerged a short time later saying they had reached an 'across the board' agreement.
In remarks before the session, Trump pledged to change what he characterized as 'a very one-sided transaction, very unfair to the United States.'
'I think the main sticking point is fairness,' he said while also noting, 'We've had a hard time with trade with Europe, a very hard time.'
Von der Leyen had said the U.S. and EU combined have the world's largest trade volume, encompassing hundreds of millions of people and trillions of dollars. Trump said the stakes involved meant a deal should be pursued. 'We should give it a shot.'
Von der Leyen said Trump was 'known as a tough negotiator and deal maker,' which prompted the president to interject, 'But fair.' She said that, if the agreement is successful, 'I think it would be the biggest deal each of us has ever struck.'
For months, Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in hopes of shrinking major U.S. trade deficits with many key trading partners. More recently, he had hinted that any deal with the EU would have to 'buy down' the currently scheduled export tax rate of 30%.
The Republican president pointed to a recent U.S. agreement with Japan that set tariff rates for many goods at 15% and suggested the EU could agree to something similar.
Asked whether he would be willing to accept tariff rates lower than that, Trump said, 'No.' As for the threat of retaliation from the Europeans, he said: 'They'll do what they have to do.'
Their meeting came after Trump played golfed for the second straight day at his Turnberry course. The president's five-day visit to Scotland is built around golf and promoting properties bearing his name.
A small group of demonstrators at the course waved American flags and raised a sign criticizing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who plans his own Turnberry meeting with Trump on Monday. Other voices could be heard cheering and chanting, 'Trump! Trump!' as he played nearby.
On Tuesday, Trump will be in Aberdeen, in northeastern Scotland, where his family business has another golf course and is opening a third next month. The president and his sons plan to help cut the ribbon on the new course.
Joining Von der Leyen were Maros Sefcovic, the EU's chief trade negotiator; Bjorn Seibert, the head of Von der Leyen's Cabinet; Sabine Weyand, the commission's directorate-general for trade; and Tomas Baert, head of trade and agriculture at the EU's delegation to the U.S.
The deadline for the Trump administration to begin imposing tariffs has shifted in recent weeks but was now firm, the administration said.
'No extensions, no more grace periods. Aug. 1, the tariffs are set, they'll go into place. Customs will start collecting the money and off we go,' U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told 'Fox News Sunday.' He added, however, that even after that, 'people can still talk to President Trump. I mean, he's always willing to listen.'
Without an agreement, the EU said it was prepared to retaliate with tariffs on hundreds of American products, including such diverse items as beef, auto parts, beer and Boeing airplanes.
If Trump eventually made good on his threat of tariffs against Europe, it could mean that items including French cheese, Italian leather goods, German electronics and Spanish pharmaceuticals would be more expensive in the United States.
The U.S. and Britain, meanwhile, announced a trade framework in May and a larger agreement last month during the Group of 7 meeting in Canada. Trump says that deal is concluded and that he and Starmer will discuss other matters, though the White House has suggested it still needs some polishing.
Weissert writes for the Associated Press.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Oil prices rise as US-EU deal lifts trade optimism
Oil (BZ=F, CL=F) Oil prices climbed in early European trading on Monday following a trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, easing fears of escalating transatlantic trade tensions ahead of a key tariff deadline. Brent (BZ=F) crude futures gained 0.9% to trade at $69.04 per barrel, at the time of writing, while West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) futures climbed by 0.8% to $65.70 a barrel. The modest gains came after Washington and Brussels struck a last-minute trade pact on Sunday, ahead of US president Donald Trump's 1 August deadline for a new round of tariffs on EU imports. Under the agreement, most European goods will now face a 15% import tariff, half the rate initially proposed by the US administration. Read more: FTSE 100 LIVE: Markets higher as EU agrees 15% tariff in US trade deal The agreement, which averts a broader trade conflict between two economies that together account for nearly a third of global trade, helped support sentiment in financial markets, including oil. "With the risk of a prolonged trade war and the importance of the August tariff deadlines being steadily defused, markets have responded positively," IG markets analyst Tony Sycamore said in a note. The deal also raised hopes of further de-escalation in global trade tensions, including a potential extension of the current tariff pause between Washington and Beijing. However, gains in crude prices were tempered by investor caution ahead of a meeting of the Opec+ alliance on Monday. The group is expected to review the pace at which it is easing supply curbs implemented during the pandemic-induced downturn. Gold (GC=F) Gold prices were muted on Monday morning, as the trade agreement between the US and the EU boosted investor confidence and dampened demand for the traditional safe haven asset. Gold futures were flat at $3,335.90 per ounce, at the time of writing, while spot gold advanced 0.1% to $3,341.97 per ounce. The precious metal lost some of its appeal as markets digested news of a new transatlantic trade deal that helped ease tensions between Washington and Brussels. The agreement has lifted broader market sentiment, weighing on gold, which tends to perform best during periods of heightened uncertainty. Stocks: Create your watchlist and portfolio Analysts noted that progress toward a trade truce lowered uncertainty, drawing funds into equities and reducing bullion's attraction. Gold's gains were further capped by investor caution ahead of a closely watched US Federal Reserve policy decision due later this week. The central bank is widely expected to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged in the 4.25%-4.50% range when its two-day meeting concludes on Wednesday. "In the short term, we don't expect gold to experience wild swings. Investors are turning their focus to a pivotal week for US monetary policy and economic data," Jigar Trivedi, senior commodity analyst at Reliance Securities, told Reuters. Pound (GBPUSD=X, GBPEUR=X) The pound held flat against the US dollar on Monday morning, trading at $1.3424, as a quiet UK data calendar left the currency largely directionless and vulnerable to broader dollar moves ahead of a crucial week for US economic releases and Federal Reserve policy. The US dollar index ( which measures the greenback against a basket of six currencies, was higher at 97.88. Tuesday is set to bring the latest US job openings figures and consumer confidence data. While job openings are forecast to have declined in June, sentiment is expected to have improved in July, a combination that could generate mixed signals for the dollar. Wednesday's calendar features the first estimate of second-quarter US GDP growth and the Fed's interest rate decision. A strong GDP reading, coupled with continued resistance to near-term rate cuts, could provide fresh momentum for the dollar. Read more: How to get the best currency exchange deal for your holiday money Thursday sees the release of the core PCE price index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge. A rise in June's figure, as anticipated, would likely bolster the greenback further. However, Friday's non-farm payrolls report may temper the rally. The July data is expected to show a sharp slowdown in employment growth and a slight uptick in the unemployment rate from 4.1% to 4.2%, a figure that could put some downward pressure on the dollar. Elsewhere in currencies, the pound pushed higher against the euro. Sterling was up 0.3% against the single currency to trade at €1.1473 at the time of writing. In equities, the FTSE 100 (^FTSE) was in the green this morning, up 0.3% to 9,148 points. For more details, on market movements check our live coverage here.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump looms large over a Fed likely to again defy his call for cuts
President Trump will loom large over the Federal Reserve's policy meeting this week, even if the central bank does what the market expects and keeps interest rates on hold. Trump and other top White House officials have been hammering Fed Chair Jerome Powell for months over his wait-and-see rate stance and his insistence that more time is needed to assess how the president's tariffs will affect the path of inflation. The president took that message directly to the Fed last Thursday as he toured a $2.5 billion renovation of the central bank's headquarters and confronted Powell in person while the two argued in front of reporters over the true costs of the project. "I just want to see one thing happen, very simple: Interest rates have to come down," the president told reporters. Traders widely expect the Fed's Federal Open Market Committee to defy Trump and once again keep rates unchanged this Wednesday, as they have for every other meeting so far in 2025. The market expects the first cut of 2025 to happen on Sept. 17, the third-to-last meeting of the year. But at least two of Powell's colleagues are warming to Trump's near-term rate cut call, which could produce some disagreement this week behind closed doors in Washington. One Fed governor, Christoper Waller, has already hinted that he may publicly dissent Wednesday if his colleagues vote to keep rates unchanged. His opinion is that any inflation from Trump's tariffs will prove to be temporary, and he's concerned that the labor market may soon worsen. But many other Fed officials have backed Powell in his view that more time is needed to assess the impact of Trump's tariffs on inflation. They also note that the labor market is holding up, removing any urgency to act in the way that Trump wants. Read more: How the Fed rate decision affects your bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and investments "This is a campaign of undermining the chairman's credibility and really trying to undermine his public support in the face of what I think is the real objective, and that is to get a lower rate environment in place," former Kansas City Fed president Esther George said. A Powell press conference following the meeting on Wednesday gives the Fed chair a new chance to respond to the White House's escalating pressure campaign and mounting questions about the $2.5 billion renovation of two Fed buildings along the National Mall. Trump considered firing Powell in recent weeks but has now appeared to back away from doing so, telling reporters this past week that "he is going to be out pretty soon anyway" — a reference to the fact that Powell's term as chair is up in May. While touring the Fed's construction site on Thursday, Trump said of firing Powell: "To do that is a big move, and I just don't think it's necessary." Read more: How much control does the president have over the Fed and interest rates? New headaches But that doesn't mean the White House is going to let up on Powell. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this past week called for a review of the central bank's $2.5 billion project and an "exhaustive internal review' of its non-monetary policy operations. He argued that "significant mission creep and institutional growth have taken the Fed into areas that potentially jeopardize the independence of its core monetary policy mission." The Fed also got another new headache last week when a money manager — and Trump ally who recently served as an adviser to the Department of Government Efficiency — filed a lawsuit arguing that the central bank is violating a 1976 federal law by keeping its policy meetings behind closed doors. That money manager, Azoria Capital, is asking for a Washington, D.C., federal court to issue a temporary restraining order compelling the FOMC to open its deliberations to the public this week. Some on Capitol Hill are also getting louder about more scrutiny of the Fed. Rep. Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania, a subcommittee chair on the House Financial Services Committee, is reportedly moving forward with a congressional investigation of the Fed, according to PunchBowl News, even as many of his Senate colleagues have shied away from that idea. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, another Trump ally, formally requested that the DOJ investigate Powell for perjury over June comments about the renovations, although that is seen as a long shot at best. House Speaker Mike Johnson said in an interview with Bloomberg reporters and editors last week that he is "disenchanted" with Powell and is even open to modifying the 1913 act that created the Fed. That would be a major change, but it is not expected to come before Congress in the near term, as the House of Representatives went home Wednesday evening for a recess that is scheduled to last for the rest of the summer. Powell has repeatedly stated that he does not intend to leave as chair until his term is up, that his removal is "not permitted by law," and that he was honest and transparent about the Fed's construction project while testifying before Senate lawmakers on June 25. In a July 17 letter to White House budget director Russ Vought, Powell wrote that "we take seriously the responsibility to be good stewards of public resources" and offered a point-by-point response to Vought's concerns about cost overruns and certain design elements. Read more: What experts say about the possibility of additional rate cuts 'I do think it's damaging' Trump and his allies have taken to several new lines of attack against Powell, even beyond the building renovation, as they argue for rates to be as many as three percentage points lower. They cite what they predict will be savings on US debt if the rate is lower, as well as how a lower rate would make borrowing for a home less expensive in the US. Trump has even hinted that he has more than just Powell to blame for the fact that rates have remained unchanged since he took office. "The Board should act, but they don't have the Courage to do so!" Trump wrote on his social media platform this past week, referring to the larger Fed Board of Governors on which Powell serves. StoneX senior adviser Jon Hilsenrath told Yahoo Finance that he expects Trump's attacks to eventually extend to the regional Fed presidents based around the country. They have rotating positions on the Fed body that makes the final call on rates. The president does not appoint the regional Fed bosses, who are instead chosen by banks in those Fed districts. One of them, Chicago Fed president Austan Goolsbee, defended Powell in a July 18 interview with Yahoo Finance, calling the Fed chair a "totally honorable guy." He also expressed concerns about Fed independence. "It pains me to hear people actively discussing whether the central bank should be independent. There's nothing good can come of discussion like that." George, the former Kansas City Fed president, said of the president's pressure campaign targeting building renovations: "I do think it's damaging." "It's when we undermine institutions and create suspicion in the public that something is wrong here, I think credibility suffers," she said. "This is a time when the Fed needs its independence," George added. "It is a time when, yes, lower rates would help the federal government, but we know countries that have gone down that path, and we know in this country going down that path does not produce good outcomes in the long term." Last Thursday, though, Trump sounded confident during his tour of the Fed's headquarters that Powell would see things his way. "I think he's going to do the right thing,' the president said. "Everybody knows what the right thing is.' Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Explainer-Why Big Alcohol needs US tariff relief in five charts
By Emma Rumney and Jessica DiNapoli LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) -European Union wine and spirits producers could emerge among the few winners of a EU-U.S. trade deal agreed at the weekend that some European officials consider unbalanced. The high-level agreement, which imposes a 15% baseline duty for most EU goods entering the United States, is set to include tariff exemptions for some agricultural products, still to be hammered out. Alcoholic beverages could be among those, according to trade and industry officials. "We are optimistic that in the days ahead this positive meeting and agreement will lead to a return to zero-for-zero tariffs for U.S. and EU spirits products," Distilled Spirits Council President and CEO Chris Swonger said in a statement in response to the U.S.-EU agreement. On Monday, French Trade Minister Laurent Saint Martin also said he expected the spirits sector to be exempted from U.S. tariffs. If confirmed, an exemption would offer a lifeline to alcohol players including the world's biggest spirits maker, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Remy Cointreau and Campari, all of which are very exposed to vast U.S. market and whose profits have already taken a big hit as consumers spend less on drink. Shares in Pernod, Diageo and Campari initially rose in early trade. But they stood 1.3%, 0.4% and 0.3% lower by 0707 GMT. Shares in Remy fell 2.2%. Alcohol is among the EU's top exports to the United States, worth about 9 billion euros ($10.5 billion) in 2024, according to Eurostat data, with certain products like Remy Martin cognac and champagne required to be produced in specific European regions. About one-third of all exports of Irish whiskey such as Pernod Ricard's Jameson are destined for the United States. Earlier in July, President Donald Trump had threatened a crippling 30% tariff that some industry experts said could stop flows of certain EU goods towards the United States. The United States accounts for about 18% of exports for another exclusively French product, champagne. Of all exports of cognac from its namesake region in France, about 43% end up in the United States. LVMH owns Hennessy Cognac. Remy Cointreau, which makes more than 70% of its sales from French-made cognac, is among the alcohol makers hit hardest by tariffs. It has pegged the hit from tariffs imposed globally at about 45 million euros. For cognac makers, the U.S. tariffs represent a fresh challenge after producers of the drink managed this month to avert the threat of duties of up to around 35% from China. For Spanish and Italian wines, around 14% and 24% of total exports, respectively, are sold in the United States. Beer brewers and makers of popular ready-to-drink cocktails will, however, continue to face tariffs on imported aluminum they may use for cans. Under the EU-U.S. deal struck on Sunday, Washington will continue to impose a levy of 50% on steel and aluminum entering the United States. ($1 = 0.8518 euros) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
