Trump, EU chief to meet today in push for trade deal
In a drive to slash his country's trade deficits, Trump has vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariff hikes if they do not hammer out a pact with Washington by August 1.
The EU − which is facing an across-the-board levy of 30-per cent − has been pushing hard for a deal with Trump's administration, while also planning retaliation should talks fall short.
Von der Leyen first announced the meeting, writing on X: "Following a good call with POTUS, we have agreed to meet in Scotland on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong."
Arriving on UK soil late Friday, Trump confirmed he would meet the head of the European Commission, which has been negotiating with Washington on behalf of the 27-nation bloc.
"I'll be meeting with the EU on Sunday, and we'll be working on a deal," he told reporters as he touched down at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow.
"Ursula will be here − a highly respected woman. So we look forward to that," Trump said.
"We'll see if we make a deal," added the president − who reiterated earlier comments saying the chance of a deal was "50-50", with sticking points remaining on "maybe 20 different things." "But we're meeting... with the European Union. And that would be, actually, the biggest deal of them all, if we make it," he said.
The high-level meeting follows months of negotiations between top EU and US trade officials, and days of signals suggesting the sides were moving towards an agreement.
According to multiple European diplomats, the agreement under consideration would involve a baseline 15-percent US levy on EU goods − the same level secured by Japan this week − and potential carve-outs for critical sectors.
Von der Leyen's spokesperson Paula Pinho said "intensive negotiations" had been taking place at technical and political level in the run up to Sunday's meeting.
"Leaders will now take stock and consider the scope for a balanced outcome that provides stability and predictability for businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic," she said.
- 'In Trump's hands' - Hit by multiple waves of tariffs since Trump reclaimed the White House, the EU is currently subject to a 25-percent levy on cars, 50 per cent on steel and aluminium, and an across-the-board tariff of 10 per cent, which Washington threatens to hike to 30 per cent in a no-deal scenario.
The EU wants to avoid sweeping tariffs inflicting further harm on the European economy − already suffering from sluggish growth − and damaging a trading relationship worth an annual 1.6 trillion euros ($1.9 trillion) in goods and services.
EU member states gave the European Commission a mandate to pursue a deal to avoid hefty US tariffs, with retaliation held out as a last resort if talks fail.
Seeking to keep up the pressure in the final stretch of talks, EU states on Thursday backed a package of retaliation on $109 billion (93 billion euros) of US goods including aircraft and cars − to kick in in stages from August 7 if there is no deal.
Most states prefer a deal to no deal − even with undesirable levies of 15 per cent − but exemptions are key, with aircraft, steel, lumber, pharmaceutical products and agricultural goods under discussion, diplomats said.
Concerning steel, diplomats say a compromise could allow a certain quota to enter the United States, with amounts beyond that taxed at 50 per cent.
Since launching its tariffs campaign, Trump's administration has so far unveiled just five agreements, including with Britain, Japan and the Philippines.
While EU hopes have been rising for a deal, the approaching August 1 deadline also comes with a sense of deja-vu: earlier this month, EU officials also believed they were on the cusp of a deal, before Trump hiked his tariff threat to 30-percent.
"The final decision is in the hands of President Trump," an EU diplomat stressed this week.
Agence France-Presse
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
2 hours ago
- Al Etihad
US says tariff deadline of Aug 1 is firm, no extensions
27 July 2025 18:50 WASHINGTON (AFP)The US deadline of August 1 for imposing tariffs on its trading partners is firm and there will be no extensions, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday."So no extensions, no more grace periods. August 1, the tariffs are set. They'll go into place. Customs will start collecting the money, and off we go," Lutnick told "Fox News Sunday."After the levies kick in, President Donald Trump -- who was negotiating Sunday in Scotland with European Union officials -- is still willing to keep talking, Lutnick the Europeans, Lutnick said, "You know they're hoping they make a deal, and it's up to President Trump, who's the leader of this negotiating table. We set the table."So far, five countries have struck deals with the Trump administration ahead of the Friday deadline as it tries to overhaul the global system of largely free trade by slapping tariffs on countries that the United States deems as engaging in 'unfair' five are Britain, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan. The levies they accepted are often higher than the new base rate of 10 percent that the United States has applied to most countries since April. But they are far below the levels the Trump administration threatened to impose if no deal were reached.
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Trump, EU chief seek deal in transatlantic tariffs standoff
US President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen prepared to meet Sunday in Scotland in a push to resolve a months-long transatlantic trade standoff that is going down to the wire. Trump has said he sees a 50-50 chance of reaching a deal with the European Union, having vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariffs unless they hammer out a pact with Washington by August 1. The EU is currently facing the threat of an across-the-board levy of 30 percent from that date. Von der Leyen's European Commission, negotiating on behalf of the EU's member countries, has been pushing hard for a deal to salvage a trading relationship worth an annual $1.9 trillion in goods and services. Any deal with the United States will need approval by all 27 member states. EU ambassadors, on a visit to Greenland, were to meet Sunday morning to discuss the latest negotiations -- and again after any accord. Sunday's sit-down between Trump and the EU chief was to take place at 4:30 pm (1530 GMT) in Turnberry, on Scotland's southwestern coast, where Trump owns a luxury golf resort. The 79-year-old American leader said Friday he hoped to strike "the biggest deal of them all" with the EU. "I think we have a good 50-50 chance" of a deal, the president said, citing sticking points on "maybe 20 different things". He praised von der Leyen as "a highly respected woman" -- a far cry from his erstwhile hostility in accusing the EU of existing to "screw" the United States. But late-night EU talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Saturday to hammer out the final details were "combative at times," The Financial Times reported. As of Saturday evening, there were "still quite a few open questions" -- notably on pharmaceutical sector tariffs, said one EU diplomat. Tariff levels on the auto sector were also crucial for the Europeans -- notably France and Germany -- and the EU has been pushing for a compromise on steel that could allow a certain quota into the United States before tariffs would apply. Baseline 15% According to European diplomats, the deal on the table involves a baseline levy of around 15 percent on EU exports to the United States -- the level secured by Japan -- with carve-outs for critical sectors including aircraft, lumber and spirits excluding wine. The EU would commit to ramp up purchases of US liquefied natural gas, along with a series of investment pledges. Hit by multiple waves of tariffs since Trump reclaimed the White House, the EU is currently subject to a 25-percent levy on cars, 50 percent on steel and aluminium, and an across-the-board tariff of 10 percent, which Washington threatens to hike to 30 percent in a no-deal scenario. The EU has focused on getting a deal with Washington to avoid sweeping tariffs that would further harm its sluggish economy, with retaliation as a last resort. While 15 percent would be much higher than pre-existing US tariffs on European goods -- at 4.8 percent -- it would mirror the status quo, with companies already facing an additional flat rate of 10 percent. Should talks fail, EU states have greenlit counter tariffs on $109 billion (93 billion euros) of US goods including aircraft and cars to take effect in stages from August 7. Brussels is also drawing up a list of US services to potentially target. Beyond that, countries like France say Brussels should not be afraid to deploy a so-called trade "bazooka" -- EU legislation designed to counter coercion through trade measures which involves restricting access to its market and public contracts. But such a step would mark a major escalation with Washington. Ratings dropping Trump has embarked since returning to power on a campaign to reshape US trade with the world. But polls suggest the American public is unconvinced, with a recent Gallup survey showing his approval rating at 37 percent -- down 10 points from January. Having promised "90 deals in 90 days," Trump's administration has so far unveiled five, including with Britain, Japan and the Philippines. Early Sunday, ahead of his meeting with Von der Leyen, Trump was out again on the golf course, having spent most of Saturday playing at Turnberry amid tight security. The trip to Scotland has put physical distance between Trump and the scandal around Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy financier accused of sex trafficking who died in prison in 2019 before facing trial. In his heyday, Epstein was friends with Trump and others in the New York jet-set, but the president is facing backlash from his own MAGA supporters demanding access to the Epstein case files. With the uproar refusing to die down, a headline agreement with the EU -- in addition to bolstering Trump's dealmaker credentials -- could bring a welcome distraction.
Broadcast Pro
5 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Senegal becomes 56th nation to join Artemis Accords
Senegal is the 56th country to sign the Artemis Accords, which establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASAs Artemis programme. Senegal has joined the Artemis Accords, becoming the 56th nation to endorse the global framework for peaceful and transparent space exploration. The signing took place during a ceremony hosted by NASA at its headquarters in Washington. Maram Kairé, Director General of the Senegalese Agency for Space Studies (ASES), signed the accords on behalf of Senegal, with participation from Jonathan Pratt, senior bureau official for African Affairs at the US Department of State, and Abdoul Wahab Haidara, Senegals ambassador to the United States. The event follows a recent Washington meeting between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former US President Donald Trump, as part of broader discussions on US-Africa engagement. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy said: 'Following a meeting between Senegal President Faye and President Trump, today, NASA built upon the strong relations between our two nations as the Senegalese Agency for Space Studies signed the Artemis Accords. With Senegal as the 56th signatory, I am proud to further President Trumps strong legacy of global cooperation in space.' 'Senegals adherence to the Artemis Accords reflects our commitment to a multilateral, responsible, and transparent approach to space,' added Kairé. 'This signature marks a meaningful step in our space diplomacy and in our ambition to contribute to the peaceful exploration of outer space.' Senegal's astronomers have previously collaborated with NASA on scientific missions, including a 2021 campaign to observe asteroid Orus from the ground. During the event, astronomers used telescopes to measure the asteroids dimensions as it passed in front of a star. This data will support NASAs Lucy mission, which will fly by Orus in 2028 as part of its exploration of Jupiters Trojan asteroids. The Artemis Accords, established in 2020 by the United States and seven founding partners, set forth guiding principles for civil space exploration. These include commitments to peaceful use, transparency, international cooperation, scientific data sharing, non-interference and the preservation of space heritage. The accords also encourage development of best practices for sustainable space activity. With growing global interest in lunar and deep space missions, NASA anticipates that more countries will join the Artemis Accords, reinforcing the shared goal of a secure, cooperative and beneficial space environment for all humanity.
