EU, US continue trade talks as deadline extension considered

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Donald Trump held a “good exchange” on trade on July 6, amid discussions about postponing a looming deadline for countries to secure new trade deals to avoid the reinstatement of tariffs.

“I can also confirm the call between President von der Leyen and President Trump, and confirm that they have had a good exchange,” Commission spokesperson Stefan De Keersmaeker said during a briefing on July 7. He declined to provide further details about the conversation’s content or duration, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The Trump administration announced on July 6 that it would delay the deadline for the return of sweeping tariffs to August 1. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that tariffs would revert to their April 2 rates for countries that fail to finalise trade agreements with the United States by that date.

Meanwhile, the European Commission reaffirmed its commitment to meet the original July 9 deadline set by President Trump to reach an agreement in principle that would include a 10 per cent baseline tariff.

“We’re working towards July 9, at the point where we want to have an agreement in principle at a minimum with the U.S.,” said Olof Gill, the Commission’s trade spokesperson, at the midday briefing.

Gill further commented on the state of negotiations, describing talks as “the beginning of the endgame” for an agreement in principle. “We’re fully geared up to get an agreement in principle by July 9. And we’re firing on all cylinders to that effect,” he added.

By Vugar Khalilov