Countries worldwide rush to Europe over Trump’s tariffs - EU Commission head
Photo: Ursula von der Leyen (Getty Images)
Countries are ready to work with reliable trading partners in Europe. The trade duties imposed by US President Donald Trump have disrupted global markets, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says.
"In a more and more unpredictable global environment, countries are lining up to work with us," the European Commission president said, without naming Trump or the United States.
In recent weeks, she has spoken with the leaders of Iceland, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Canada, India, and the United Arab Emirates, who were looking for “strong, reliable partners.”
The world order is "shifting more deeply than at any time since the Cold War ended," von der Leyen added.
Trump's tariffs
Trump announced the introduction of reciprocal tariffs on April 2 - the EU would be hit with a 20% tax, and most of the rest of the world with a basic 10% tariff. As financial markets plunged a week later, Trump suspended the higher tariffs for 90 days to pave the way for negotiations on a trade deal.
In the case of the EU, the rate remained at 10%, as well as 25% on steel, aluminum, and automotive exports. The US and China have imposed triple-digit tariffs on each other.
If Trump reintroduces these reciprocal duties, global trade could shrink by 1.5% this year, with North America suffering the most, according to the World Trade Organization.
Stable Europe
Von der Leyen emphasizes Europe's resilience amid this instability. Amid such turmoil, she says, confidence in the EU is growing, including among the bloc's citizens. She refers to a Eurobarometer poll that shows support for membership in the bloc at 74%, the highest level in 40 years.
"That says something. In the middle of the chaos, Europe stands firm, grounded in values, ready to shape what comes next," von der Leyen said.
However, it is unclear whose approach - the US or the EU - is winning.
While Europe is seeking to conclude new trade agreements, including a long-delayed pact with the Mercosur trade bloc of South American countries, Trump is holding talks with leaders of several foreign countries, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Giorgia Meloni, a conservative leader, one of the few European politicians Trump favors, was warmly received this week at the White House, where the US President said there would be a 100 percent trade deal with the EU.
However, no concrete details of a potential deal have emerged from the meeting so far, and EU officials are skeptical about the chances of a quick solution.
Meanwhile, senior EU officials, whom Trump has systematically avoided in favor of national leaders, are stepping up their diplomatic efforts. In particular, von der Leyen is planning a trip to China to meet with President Xi Jinping later this year.
Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China and Europe should jointly defend the trend of economic globalization and the international trade environment, as well as jointly resist unilateral intimidation methods by the United States.
