European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered a “zero-for-zero” tariff deal to President Donald Trump after the commander-in-chief hiked tariffs on dozens of nations.
The official met on Monday with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr to discuss climate, the war in Ukraine, and trade policy, as well as the impacts of American tariffs on the continent, after which von der Leyen remarked that she desires to negotiate with Trump on lower customs.
“They have a massive impact on the global economy. Developing countries are hit especially hard,” she said of the new tariffs unveiled by Trump last week. “We have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods as we have successfully done with many other trading partners.”
The leader of the executive branch of the European Union vowed that “Europe is always ready for a good deal,” but warned the entity is “also prepared to respond through countermeasures.”
At least some Republicans said that the United States should agree. Senator Mike Johnson, a Republican from Utah, recommended that Trump “take that deal,” while Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, observed that “at some point, you have to take yes for an answer.”
The tariffs from Trump included 10% baseline customs and higher rates for certain nations based on the tariffs and other trade barriers they impose on the United States. Various stock markets around the world entered into correction territory in recent days amid the uncertainty.
The offer from von der Leyen came as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that over seventy countries have asked to negotiate on lower tariffs with the United States since the new customs.
“I suggested that the foreign officials keep your cool, that you do not escalate, and come to us with your offers on how you’re going to drop tariffs, how you’re going to drop non-tariff barriers, how you’re going to stop your currency manipulation, how you’re going to stop the subsidized financing, and at a point, President Trump will be ready to negotiate,” Bessent said on Monday.
