European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the EU is ready to respond with countermeasures if talks with Washington fail, following new US tariffs imposed by President Trump.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described US President Donald Trump's universal tariffs as a major blow to the global economy. Speaking in Samarkand ahead of the EU–Central Asia summit, she said the European Union was preparing to act if negotiations with the United States did not succeed.
The EU is finalizing a first package of tariffs on up to €26 billion ($28.4 billion) worth of US goods, expected to take effect in mid-April. These measures are in response to US steel and aluminum tariffs that began on March 12.
“We're now preparing for further countermeasures to protect our interests and our businesses if negotiations fail,” von der Leyen stated, without disclosing specific future actions.
A French government spokesperson noted that broader measures, potentially including digital services, could be introduced by the end of April. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the EU’s preference for reaching an agreement with Washington but acknowledged the possibility of an “adequate” European response if necessary.
EU trade ministers are set to meet in Luxembourg on Monday to discuss their options.
While the EU has fewer US goods to target—importing €334 billion worth from the US compared to €532 billion in exports—the bloc may avoid hitting critical sectors like US oil, gas, and pharmaceuticals, which make up a significant share of its imports.
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Iran's Foreign Affairs Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Saturday (25 April) that there were no plans to meet with the U.S. in Islamabad, despite Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi landing in the Pakistani capital late on Friday. Araghchi said he was visiting Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war are intensifying, with the White House confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump will send special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran under Pakistani mediation.
Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner will travel to Islamabad on Saturday for Pakistan-mediated talks with Iran, the White House said.
The U.S. and the European Union are set to sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday to establish a partnership on the procurement and production of critical minerals, the U.S. State Department confirmed late on Thursday.
Two local trains collided head-on north of Copenhagen on Thursday (23 April), injuring 17 people, five of them critically, according to emergency services.
The U.S. military is redirecting at least three Iranian-flagged tankers after intercepting them in Asian waters near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tehran said U.S. breaches, blockades and threats are undermining “genuine negotiations.”
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war are intensifying, with the White House confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump will send special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran under Pakistani mediation.
The European Union is preparing its 20th round of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. The measures are close to being approved, after earlier delays linked to energy concerns in Slovakia and Hungary eased following repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
China has urged the European Union to take its concerns seriously over new cybersecurity and digital regulations, warning they could create difficulties for Chinese companies operating in Europe.
Russia and Ukraine have swapped prisoners of war, according to officials on both sides. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 193 prisoners, including soldiers and border guards, had been returned from Russia, some injured and facing criminal charges.
Türkiye and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a wide-ranging strategic partnership agreement to boost bilateral cooperation, especially in defence. The deal, signed in London, signals a “new era” in relations between the two NATO allies.
The U.S. and the European Union are set to sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday to establish a partnership on the procurement and production of critical minerals, the U.S. State Department confirmed late on Thursday.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
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