Šefovič will convey to the USA on Monday that the EU is prepared for customs countermeasures.

Brussels – European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič will inform the American side on Monday evening that he is authorized to continue talks on tariffs as well as to implement multi-billion euro retaliatory measures, according to a report by TASR correspondent.

The Slovak European Commissioner made this statement following the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting focused on trade, responding to remarks made by US President Donald Trump last Saturday (July 12) regarding a potential 30 percent tariff increase on the EU set to take effect on August 1.

Šefčovič expressed disappointment over Trump’s announcement, noting he had invested over a hundred hours in direct negotiations with American counterparts, while his technical team had contributed dozens more hours. He stated, “We were very close to a framework agreement; only items like steel and auto tariffs needed finalization—issues crucial for Slovakia as well.”

He felt an agreement was within reach until Trump opted for a more aggressive negotiation stance. Šefčovič indicated that Trump’s recent letter compelled European nations to adopt a specific position.

“This has shifted the previously clear dominance of member states aiming to negotiate at all costs; that dynamic is changing. Member states have clearly stated our desire to negotiate and secure a fair agreement, but if that proves unattainable, we will have no choice but to implement retaliatory measures,” he remarked.

He anticipates that negotiations may become more complex, but on behalf of the EU, he aims to exhaust all options to ensure the EU can assert it did everything possible. He affirmed that, should negotiations fail, the Union, as the world’s largest trading bloc, must respond; it cannot accept terms detrimental to its economy.

This will be his primary message to American partners during their discussions on Monday evening. He clarified to TASR that his foremost message will be the push for an agreement by August 1 and the resumption of last week’s interrupted negotiations.

“However, that 30 percent is utterly unacceptable to anyone in the EU, and I must convey that I have received a clear mandate from member states that if we cannot achieve a more acceptable agreement, we will need to adopt balancing measures amounting to approximately 90 billion euros,” Šefčovič stated. (July 14)