Blitz Bureau
Brussels, June 15 – With a July 9 deadline fast approaching, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed the European Union’s push to secure a meaningful trade agreement with the United States. Her latest effort came during a phone call with US President Donald Trump, described as “good” by von der Leyen in a post on social media platform X.
The urgency follows the US government’s recent move to hike tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent, a decision that has rattled European manufacturers. Industry leaders across the EU warn the increase could severely disrupt the sector, heightening pressure on negotiators to find common ground.
Tensions have been mounting since Trump signaled his frustration with what he called stalled talks with the 27-nation bloc. On May 26, EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic responded by stressing the bloc’s commitment to reaching a deal, even as Trump threatened to expand tariffs to cover all EU imports starting June 1.
In a sign of temporary relief, Trump agreed to delay the full implementation of the new tariffs until July 9 following von der Leyen’s outreach. However, that extension has done little to ease the intensity of the negotiations.
Alongside trade, von der Leyen and Trump also discussed international security issues, including developments in Ukraine and the Middle East.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, speaking earlier this week, cast doubt on the likelihood of a breakthrough with the EU before the deadline. He acknowledged a recent uptick in discussions but suggested the bloc remains one of the more difficult partners due to its internal complexity and slow consensus-building.
“Europe was more than thorny,” Lutnick remarked, noting that Trump’s tariff ultimatum seemed to jolt EU negotiators into action. “All of a sudden they got a little religion and made a proper offer,” he said.
Negotiators on both sides have intensified their exchanges in recent weeks. Sefcovic has maintained close contact with Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer since both sides agreed to accelerate talks.
Still, European officials are skeptical about wrapping up a comprehensive deal by July 9. Sources close to the matter say the most realistic outcome would be agreeing on broad principles before continuing negotiations on finer points beyond the deadline.
The Trump administration has grown increasingly vocal in its criticism of the EU’s negotiating approach. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in a May interview with Bloomberg Television, accused the bloc of suffering from a “collective action problem” and suggested that, unlike other trading partners, the EU hasn’t fully engaged in good-faith negotiations.
With the clock ticking and economic stakes rising, both sides now face a high-pressure sprint to avoid a broader transatlantic trade clash.