“We will extend the suspension of our countermeasures until early August while continuing preparations for them,” stated Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in response to journalists’ inquiries after her meeting with the President of Indonesia regarding the new trade agreement between Europe and Indonesia.
When questioned about the EU’s reaction to recent announcements by Trump, von der Leyen confirmed that the suspension of countermeasures would remain in effect until August 1, coinciding with the American President’s deadline for imposing 30% tariffs on European goods.
She reiterated the European Commission’s preference for negotiations as a means to resolve the trade conflict with the US and addressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of this dialogue strategy.
“We have always been clear about our preference for a negotiated solution. This remains our stance, and we will utilize the time available until August 1. Furthermore, we are prepared to respond with countermeasures if necessary. Our dual approach is proving effective because we are ready,” she remarked.
Von der Leyen also dismissed the notion of the EU activating the ACI, the legal framework established to counter economic coercion from third countries, indicating that “we have not reached that stage yet. The ACI is intended for emergencies.” She highlighted that the first list of countermeasures has been prepared and agreed upon, along with a second potential list.
Additionally, she emphasized the significance of the trade agreement with Indonesia, noting that it represents a move towards “diversifying our trade relationships through a substantial political free trade agreement with Indonesia. This illustrates our pursuit of new, open markets. We are also committed to deepening the single market, which remains our secure foundation.” (13/7/25)
Leave a Reply