The EU accelerates trade negotiations with the United States, with focus on industries such as automobiles and semiconductors.

The EU is trying to accelerate trade negotiations with the United States. According to sources familiar with the plans, the European Commission responsible for EU trade affairs will focus its new strategy on key industries and tariffs and non-tariff barriers. The Commission will also combine its approach to solving regulatory barriers with plans to simplify rules. According to insiders, EU Trade Commissioner Maro efovi will be in charge of political negotiation matters in industries such as steel, aluminum, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and civil aircraft. These negotiations will take place alongside technical discussions on tariffs and non-tariff barriers. Last week, Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on the EU starting from June 1, accusing the EU of acting slowly in negotiations and unfairly suppressing American companies through litigation and regulations. However, after a phone call on Sunday with EU Commission President Von der Leyen, Trump extended the deadline to July 9. Von der Leyen agreed to expedite the negotiation process at the time. Sources revealed that on Monday, after efovi held a call with relevant US officials (US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer), member states were briefed on the discussions. efovi will focus on industries that have already been affected by US tariffs or may be subject to future tariffs. Reportedly, the EU submitted a proposal to the US last week suggesting increased cooperation in these areas. The EU's proposal last week - which proposed lowering tariffs on many goods, jointly tackling global challenges, mutual investment, and strategic procurement - was rejected by the US and prompted Trump to threaten increased tariffs. These sources indicate that any US unilateral demands that could jeopardize the EU's regulatory and tax sovereignty are likely to be seen as non-negotiable red lines. Negotiations so far have been hampered by various issues, with no clear path to reaching an interim agreement. Europeans complain that it is not clear what the US wants and even who speaks on behalf of the US President. Meanwhile, the US alleges that the EU is unfairly targeting American companies through litigation and regulations. Insiders also stated that while negotiating with the Trump administration, the EU will continue to develop measures to prepare for the possibility of unsatisfactory results from the negotiations. The EU has approved tariffs on $210 billion worth of US goods in response to Trump's tariffs on metal products, which could take effect quickly. The tariffs target politically sensitive US states, including soybeans from Louisiana (home to House Speaker Mike Johnson) and products from Shenzhen Agricultural Power Group, poultry, and motorcycles. The group is also prepared to impose additional tariffs on $950 billion worth of US products in response to Trump's "equitable" tariff and automotive tariff measures, targeting industrial products including Boeing Company airplanes, US-made cars, and bourbon. Some EU member states have proposed to the EU measures to prepare for any further action from the US President (including in the semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries). These sources added that many EU officials and member states still believe that Trump's multiple tariff measures will continue to be implemented, and the likelihood of a good agreement remains slim. German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz told reporters in Berlin on Monday: "We need a quick solution now." He also expressed "cautious optimism" and believed that an agreement could be reached but did not elaborate further. Scholz said the EU must respond to US tariff threats in a unified, coordinated, and consistent manner.