The European Union (EU) has extended an olive branch to the United States (US), proposing a “zero-for-zero” tariff deal on industrial goods to avert an escalating trade war.
The announcement, made on Monday 7 April, 2025 by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration imposes sweeping tariffs, including a 20% levy on EU imports set to take effect April 9, alongside 25% duties on steel, aluminum and cars.
“We stand ready to negotiate with the US. Indeed, we have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods as we have successfully done with many other trading partners,” von der Leyen declared at a press conference in Luxembourg. “Because Europe is always ready for a good deal. So we keep it on the table. But we are also prepared to respond through countermeasures and defend our interests.”
She warned that Trump’s tariffs would impose “immense costs” on American consumers and deliver a “massive” blow to the global economy.
The proposal follows a meeting of EU trade ministers, who agreed to prioritise negotiations while preparing retaliatory measures. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic emphasized urgency, stating, “While the EU remains open to – and strongly prefers – negotiation, we will not wait endlessly.”
The bloc plans to impose tariffs on up to $28 billion of U.S. goods, including dental floss and diamonds, starting April 15, with a second tranche a month later.
Reactions across Europe were mixed. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a Trump ally, called the U.S. tariffs “wrong and not in the interest of either party,” adding on Facebook, “We will do everything we can to work on an agreement with the United States to avert a trade war.”
France’s Emmanuel Macron labelled the tariffs “brutal and unfounded,” predicting a “massive impact” on Europe’s economy.
In the U.S., the White House remained defiant. Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, described tariffs as “medicine” to fix trade imbalances, saying, “They’re very tough traders. You think of the European Union, very friendly. They rip us off. It’s so sad to see.”
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