The countdown is approaching the halfway mark for countries hit by U.S. tariffs to negotiate exemptions or new trade terms, as set by President Donald Trump. While the United Kingdom has already signed a deal and an agreement with China has been announced, the European Union — the fourth-largest trading partner of the United States — had shown little progress until recently. However, talks are now underway. According to MEP Michał Szczerba of the Civic Platform (PO), the EU must adopt a firm and unified stance. Trump’s expected attendance at the NATO summit in The Hague this June could offer a key moment for further negotiations.
“The issue of tariffs imposed by Trump on European exports is currently in a kind of limbo. General global tariffs of 10% are in place. Unfortunately, Trump also introduced duties on aluminum, steel, and the automotive sector,” Szczerba told Newseria, a Polish news agency. “The European Union is still holding off on a full response, hoping that during this 90-day period we can find a resolution. What matters most, however, is unity — unity among the 27 member states and EU institutions. That strength and solidarity is what can bring change.”
On April 2, President Trump imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. trade partners: a 10% duty on all imports and a 25% tariff on foreign cars. In the case of the EU, the 10% rate was raised to 20%, reflecting the bloc’s position as America’s fourth-largest trading partner after Canada, Mexico, and China. However, just days later, the higher tariffs were suspended for 90 days — a grace period ending on July 8 — while countries began bilateral negotiations with Washington.
The UK swiftly reached an agreement with its “big brother” within a month of the suspension. One week later, a deal with China was also announced. Both sides agreed to reduce their respective tariffs by 115 percentage points for the 90-day period, resulting in 10% Chinese duties on U.S. goods and 30% U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. Last week, the Financial Times reported a breakthrough: for the first time since the talks began, the EU and the U.S. exchanged formal negotiation documents outlining areas such as tariffs, digital trade, and investment opportunities.
“We entered these temporary negotiations to make our position clear — we demand the removal of these tariffs, particularly on aluminum, steel, and automotive products. They hurt European companies, jobs, and supply chains, including Polish workers in the car industry,” explained Szczerba. “The EU is a global player. Our main partner is the United States — nearly 30% of our goods and services trade flows through this relationship. Of course, we trade globally, but the core principle must be reciprocity and fair treatment for European firms worldwide.”
The European Commission has launched public consultations on a list of U.S.-origin goods that could be hit with retaliatory tariffs should talks fail. In April, Brussels estimated that countermeasures against American steel and aluminum tariffs could cover imports worth nearly €21 billion. For now, these measures are also paused for 90 days. Meanwhile, work continues on expanding the EU’s potential retaliation list, which could reach €95 billion (about $107.4 billion), covering a wide array of industrial and agricultural products.
“Trump would like to corner everyone into compliance, but the result is that he ends up having to revise his own decisions,” said Szczerba. “We’re in a transitional period, and I believe the EU’s response will be firm enough to force a rethink. There is ongoing dialogue, but it must lead to concrete decisions that reflect European interests.”
Trump is expected in Europe for the NATO summit in The Hague this June — a likely opportunity not only for discussions on security but also economic matters. A visit to Brussels is reportedly also being considered.
“Trump prefers bilateral relations, but when it comes to tariffs and trade, he must engage with European institutions,” Szczerba concluded.
