British media: EU prepares to impose retaliatory tariffs to secure a better trade deal with Trump

Odaily Planet Daily News According to the Financial Times, before the upcoming negotiation deadline, a senior official warned that if the EU wants to reach a good deal, it must issue a "credible threat" to retaliate in the trade war launched by Trump. Two EU officials said that the chief of staff of the European Commission President, Seibert, told EU ambassadors after the G7 summit last week that the prospect of a strong response would help convince the US president to lower the high tariffs imposed on the EU. German Chancellor Merz also hinted that his government would support tougher measures. He said on Tuesday: "If there is no agreement, we are ready to use all options. We can and will defend our interests." Seibert told ambassadors that European Commission President von der Leyen is ready to escalate negotiations for a better deal. He asked them to support a package of tariffs on US goods worth 95 billion euros, and said the European Commission is also preparing measures against the service industry-including taxes on US technology companies and restrictions on US companies from obtaining public procurement contracts. One of the officials said the message was that "we need to leverage through a credible rebalancing plan." (Jinshi)