site.btaEC President: Europe Open to Negotiations on US Tariffs, Will Approach Talks from Position of Strength

The EU is open to negotiations on the US tariffs and will approach these negotiations from a position of strength, because it holds a lot of cards, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen said at a European Parliament plenary debate in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

"Tariffs are taxes that will be paid by the people," she warned. They will fuel inflation, cost jobs, and "create a bureaucratic monster of new customs procedures," she argued. "And today nobody needs that – neither in the US nor in Europe."

"We do not necessarily want to retaliate, but we have a strong plan to retaliate if necessary," von der Leyen went on to say, adding: "Our immediate response is unity and determination."

Admitting that "many Europeans feel utterly disheartened by the announcements from the US," she vowed that the people of Europe will always promote and defend their interests and values. "Our objective is a negotiated solution. But of course, if need be, we will protect our interests, our people and our companies." 

"This confrontation is in no one's interest," the EC leader said, and called for a constructive solution.