MEPs Engage in Discussions in Washington DC Amid Tariff Tensions
A delegation of European Parliament members visits the US as discussions on trade relations intensify in response to new tariffs announced by President Trump.
A delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), led by Brando Benifei from Italy's S&D, has arrived in Washington, D.C. to engage in discussions with key representatives of the U.S. Congress.
This visit is set against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of significant tariffs affecting global trade partners, including a 20% levy on EU imports.
The MEPs' itinerary includes meetings with members of the House committee overseeing strategic competition between the U.S. and China, as well as with leaders from the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House EU Caucus.
Topics for discussion are expected to cover recent developments in Europe, particularly concerning Ukraine, as well as issues of bilateral trade, EU-NATO cooperation, and transatlantic relations with China.
The delegation is scheduled to meet with representatives from the U.S. State Department, think tanks, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday and Friday.
The delegation includes European Parliament Vice-President Sophie Wilmès (Renew Europe, Belgium), Foreign Affairs Committee Chair David McAllister (EPP, Germany), International Trade Committee Chair Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany), and Michał Szczerba, the Foreign Affairs Committee rapporteur for the U.S. (EPP, Poland).
Simultaneously, the European Union is proposing the removal of tariffs on all industrial goods traded with the U.S. in an effort to prevent the implementation of reciprocal duties by the United States.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is prepared to negotiate with the U.S., highlighting the 'zero-for-zero' proposal made earlier this year which aims to eliminate tariffs on products including automobiles and pharmaceuticals.
Von der Leyen's offer reflects the EU’s readiness for a favorable trade agreement amid escalating tensions.
On Monday, the EU moves closer to finalizing a list of targeted U.S. goods for additional tariffs as a response to the steel and aluminum tariffs introduced by the U.S. The European Commission will present this targeted list for member state approval, indicating a focused approach rather than broad retaliatory measures.
European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič clarified that the EU's average tariff is 3.5%, slightly lower than the U.S. rate of 3.95%, while acknowledging that the EU's tariffs on specific sectors, such as automobiles, are a core point of contention.
Germany’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck emphasized the importance of a unified EU response, stating that collective action is crucial to leverage negotiations with Washington effectively.
Polling conducted across EU member states indicates that a significant majority of Europeans support counter-tariffs against the U.S., showing widespread concern about the repercussions of a potential U.S. disengagement from Europe.
As tensions escalate, discussions will continue among EU leaders to establish a coherent strategy for engaging with the U.S. and mitigating the risks of trade disputes.
This visit is set against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of significant tariffs affecting global trade partners, including a 20% levy on EU imports.
The MEPs' itinerary includes meetings with members of the House committee overseeing strategic competition between the U.S. and China, as well as with leaders from the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House EU Caucus.
Topics for discussion are expected to cover recent developments in Europe, particularly concerning Ukraine, as well as issues of bilateral trade, EU-NATO cooperation, and transatlantic relations with China.
The delegation is scheduled to meet with representatives from the U.S. State Department, think tanks, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday and Friday.
The delegation includes European Parliament Vice-President Sophie Wilmès (Renew Europe, Belgium), Foreign Affairs Committee Chair David McAllister (EPP, Germany), International Trade Committee Chair Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany), and Michał Szczerba, the Foreign Affairs Committee rapporteur for the U.S. (EPP, Poland).
Simultaneously, the European Union is proposing the removal of tariffs on all industrial goods traded with the U.S. in an effort to prevent the implementation of reciprocal duties by the United States.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is prepared to negotiate with the U.S., highlighting the 'zero-for-zero' proposal made earlier this year which aims to eliminate tariffs on products including automobiles and pharmaceuticals.
Von der Leyen's offer reflects the EU’s readiness for a favorable trade agreement amid escalating tensions.
On Monday, the EU moves closer to finalizing a list of targeted U.S. goods for additional tariffs as a response to the steel and aluminum tariffs introduced by the U.S. The European Commission will present this targeted list for member state approval, indicating a focused approach rather than broad retaliatory measures.
European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič clarified that the EU's average tariff is 3.5%, slightly lower than the U.S. rate of 3.95%, while acknowledging that the EU's tariffs on specific sectors, such as automobiles, are a core point of contention.
Germany’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck emphasized the importance of a unified EU response, stating that collective action is crucial to leverage negotiations with Washington effectively.
Polling conducted across EU member states indicates that a significant majority of Europeans support counter-tariffs against the U.S., showing widespread concern about the repercussions of a potential U.S. disengagement from Europe.
As tensions escalate, discussions will continue among EU leaders to establish a coherent strategy for engaging with the U.S. and mitigating the risks of trade disputes.
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