BRUSSELS — The European Union’s top trade official stressed the bloc’s commitment to constructive dialogue in a first call with his U.S. counterparts on Wednesday, ahead of an emergency meeting of the bloc’s ministers to discuss how to respond to President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič spoke with Trump’s pick for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, designated U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, his spokesperson Olof Gill confirmed.
“Cooperation is our preferred option. So, we remain committed to constructive dialogue and finding negotiated solutions, while protecting the EU interests — the same way the U.S. is protecting theirs,” Gill said in a statement. “The counterparts have agreed to meet soon.”
The EU executive, which is in the lead on trade policy for the bloc, vowed on Tuesday to respond to what it called the “unlawful” U.S. tariffs in a firm and proportionate manner. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also met with Vice President J.D. Vance on Tuesday.
The Polish presidency of the Council of the EU called a virtual meeting of the bloc’s 27 trade ministers to brief them on how the Commission will respond to Trump’s trade offensive, which is also expected to include sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs that could severely disrupt the $1.3 trillion transatlantic trade relationship.
Lutnick, yet to be formally confirmed as Commerce secretary with strategic oversight over trade policy, has also threatened to go after EU business regulations like its supply-chain oversight rules. After his nomination, Lutnick said it would not make sense to put tariffs on products that the U.S. doesn’t produce domestically.
This story has been updated with comment from the European Commission.
EU trade chief calls Team Trump, urges dialogue as tariff tensions escalate
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