Xinhua
02 May 2026, 02:15 GMT+10
BRUSSELS, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) will "keep options open" to protect its interests if the United States takes measures inconsistent with the joint statement between the two sides signed last year on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade, a European Commission spokesperson told Xinhua on Friday.
"We remain fully committed to a predictable, mutually beneficial transatlantic relationship. Should the U.S. take measures inconsistent with the Joint Statement, we will keep our options open to protect EU interests," the spokesperson said.
The remarks came after Trump's latest threat earlier on the day that he would raise tariffs to 25 percent on cars and trucks imported from the EU from next week, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with the agreement.
"The EU is implementing its Joint Statement commitments in line with standard legislative practice, keeping the U.S. administration fully informed throughout," the spokesperson said, adding that the EU maintains close contact with its U.S. counterparts while also seeking clarity on Washington's commitments under the deal.
The spokesperson referred to the EU-U.S. trade deal reached last year, under which the EU would suspend tariffs on all U.S. industrial products and introduce tariff-rate quotas for a wide range of U.S. agri-food products entering the EU market. In return, the United States would apply a 15-percent import tariff on most EU goods.
Get a daily dose of Switzerland Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Switzerland Times.
More InformationLONDON, U.K.: Europe is facing growing concerns over jet fuel supply as shipments from the Middle East, its largest external source,...
ATHENS/ROME: Italy is set to become the euro zone's most indebted country this year, overtaking Greece as Athens continues to bring...
BEIJING, China: China has sharply criticized the European Union's decision to include Chinese companies in its latest sanctions against...
BRUSSELS, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) will keep options open to protect its interests if the United States takes measures...
The US president has accused the bloc of not complying with a trade deal reached last summer, hiking automotive industry levies US...
(260501) -- ROME, May 1, 2026 (Xinhua) -- People walk past the Rome Branch of the Bank of Italy in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2026. Euro area...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Jerome Powell's tenure as Federal Reserve chair is drawing to a close, ending a period defined by clashes with political...
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: Argentina's radical libertarian president, Javier Milei, blocked accredited reporters from entering the government's...
ZURICH, Switzerland: An upcoming referendum that would limit Switzerland's population to 10 million is gaining support from a slim...
LONDON, U.K.: Prime Minister Keir Starmer managed to avert a parliamentary inquiry over his choice of Peter Mandelson as British ambassador...
LAS VEGAS, Nevada: Nathan Chasing Horse, who acted in Dances With Wolves, was sentenced this week by a Nevada judge to life in prison...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: Iran's Deputy Defense Minister Reza Talaei-Nik said on April 28 that his country is ready to share its defensive weapons...
