<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The President of the Government Pedro Sánchez reiterated this Saturday that the EU constitutes "the largest trading bloc in the world" and should use "that strength to reach a fair agreement" with the US "before August 1," after US President Donald Trump announced the imposition of 30% tariffs on products imported from the European Union starting on that date.</strong></h4> "Economic openness and trade create prosperity. Unjustified tariffs destroy it," Sánchez wrote on social media. "That is why we support and will support the Commission in its negotiations to reach an agreement with the US before August 1," he continued. "United, we Europeans constitute the largest trading bloc in the world. Let us use that strength to reach a fair agreement," he concluded. Donald Trump made the announcement public through his Truth Social network, where he justified the decision as "the need to protect American industry and jobs from unfair trade practices." Although the affected sectors have not yet been specified, the tariff increase is expected to impact key European products such as automobiles, industrial machinery, wine, and processed foods, which could prompt a swift response from Brussels. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded to Donald Trump's tariff announcement by warning that the European Union will adopt "proportionate countermeasures" if the United States goes ahead with imposing a 30% tariff on European exports starting August 1. “The imposition of 30% tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,” von der Leyen said in an institutional statement, confirming that Brussels has received the formal letter from the US president detailing the measure and its new implementation timeline. The Commission President argued that “few economies in the world match the European Union’s level of openness and commitment to fair trade practices.” She emphasized that the EU has always prioritized a negotiated solution with Washington, in line with its commitment to “dialogue, stability, and a constructive transatlantic partnership.” Von der Leyen reiterated that Brussels remains willing to continue negotiating to reach an agreement by August 1. However, she made it clear that “all necessary measures will be taken to safeguard the EU’s interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if necessary.” Meanwhile, he assured, the EU will continue to deepen its global trade partnerships, "firmly anchored in the principles of rules-based international trade."
