EPAThe head of the European Union trade said that the 27-member block is committed to securing a trade transaction with the US based on “respect” rather than “threats”.
This comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to hit a 50% tariff for all goods sent to the United States from the EU.
“The EU's fully engaged, committed to providing a deal that works for both of them,” said EU Commissioner Maros Sefkovic after a call with US sales representative Jamison Greer and Trade Secretary Howard Lunik.
“Trade with the EU-platform is incomparable and must be guided by mutual respect, not by threats. We are ready to protect our interests.”
Earlier on Friday, Trump eagerly expressed the pace of continuing EU and US trading negotiations, saying his plan for raising the rates on June 1 was determined.
By publishing his social platform for his truth, Trump said, “Our discussions with them (the EU) has nowhere,” adding that there will be no tariffs for products built or manufactured in the United States.
“I'm not looking for a deal – we have made the deal,” he told reporters later, before he immediately added that a major investment in the United States from a European company could make it open for delay.
The EU is one of the largest trading partners in Washington, sending over $ 600 billion (€ 528 billion; £ 443 billion) in goods last year and buying $ 370 billion, US government data show.
By responding to Trump's threats, European governments have warned that higher tariffs will be harmful to both sides.
“We don't have to go this time. Negotiations are the best and only sustainable road ahead,” said Taoise (Prime Minister) of Ireland (Prime Minister) Michel Martin.
“We maintain the same line: de-escalation, but we are ready to answer,” said French Foreign Minister Laurent Saint-Martin.
German Minister of Economy Catherine Reich said that “we have to do everything to ensure that the European Commission is reaching an agreed decision with the United States.”
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Dick told reporters that he supported the EU strategy in trade conversations and “we saw before that tariffs can rise down in conversations with the US.”
Ghetto imagesLast month, Trump announced a 20% tariff for most EU goods, but reduced it to 10% by July 8 to give time for more negotiations.
Trump's complaints about Europe have focused on its uneven trade relations as the EU sells more US goods than it bought from America.
He accuses this trade deficit of policies that he believes are unfair to US companies and specifically expressed concerns about cars and agricultural products.
Trump has also warned Apple that it will impose a 25% tax on the “at least” tax on the iPhone that is not manufactured in America, later expanding the threat to any smartphone.
Shares in the US and EU fell on Friday after recent threats, with the S&P 500 dropping by about 0.7%and the German DAX and France CAC 40, which end the day more than 1.5%.