Following the announcement of the President of the European Commission (ed. Commission) Ursula von der Layen that the EU has decided to wait for the countermeasures, wanting Europe to give “a chance in the negotiations”, the Commerce Commission spokesman has proceeded today (10.4.2025) in this afternoon in significant clarifications.
All Gil said that the Commission decided to “suspend the first wave of the proposed countermeasures for which we received a loud mandate from our Member States yesterday.” As he said, there is essentially a cessation of the publication of the legal act that would allow for “entry into force of duties next week. We have pressed the pause button, “he said.
Mr Gil made it clear that “our approach has not changed. We are preparing for all results. Everything is on the table. We want to talk to Americans. We want to achieve agreements that will benefit both sides. “
‘Win-win’ agreement
The Commission spokesman was also asked about the statement by US President Donald Trump who agreed with the view of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that a trade agreement can be reached that will be a “win win” (good for those involved). With the spokesman of the Commission agreeing with the Greek Prime Minister, stressing “we believe that a trade agreement can be reached that will be beneficial and we want to be achieved as soon as possible.”
The importance of negotiations
At today’s press conference of the Commission, but also in statements by the European Commission President on tariffs, the issue of negotiations is high in Europe’s strategy. Gil informed reporters today that European Commissioner Maros Sefkovic had a telephone conversation with US Commerce Minister Howard Lutnik two nights ago, just 24 hours before the Trump announcement. Although he said he was not planned discussions with the American side in the coming days, he assured the good communication of the two representatives.
All Gil referred to duties that remain, stressing that “we would like the United States to withdraw their original duties so that we can truly have more positive negotiations and reach agreements in many different areas.”
The Commission’s spokesman was also asked about the individual negotiations that the US wants with EU Member States, stressing emphatically that the European Commission is solely responsible for the trade negotiations. “It is the sole responsibility of the Commission to carry out negotiations and has been guaranteed in a treaty.”
Commission for American LNG
Finally, Gil also referred to European Commissioner for Energy Commissioner Dan Jergensen that the European Union would consider buying more gas than the US, in the midst of increasing pressure from President Trump’s duties, stressing that it exists as possible but is being considered for months.
“The issue of liquefied natural gas did not arise suddenly because the US president reported it a few days ago. We have talked about LNG and the energy in general as an area that we are happy to discuss in more detail with the Americans since President Trump won the election in November. So we constantly say that it is one of the areas we can at least consider and discuss to some extent. “