EU ready to hit US with 21bn euro tariff list, Italy foreign minister says
President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the EU starting on Aug. 1, after weeks of negotiations with major U.S. trading partners failed to reach a comprehensive deal.
Tajani also told daily Il Messaggero that to help the euro zone economy the European Central Bank should consider a new 'quantitative easing' bond-buying-programme, and more interest rate cuts.
The European Union said on Sunday it would extend its suspension of countermeasures to U.S. tariffs until early August and continue to press for a negotiated settlement.
Tajani said the 21-billion-euro package of tariffs the EU has already prepared could be followed by a second set if a deal with the U.S proves impossible. He added, however, that he was confident that progress could be made in negotiations.
EU chief delays retaliation for US tariffs in search of deal
'Tariffs hurt every one, starting with the United States,' he said. 'If stock markets fall that puts at risk the pensions and the savings of the Americans.'
He said the goal should be 'zero tariffs' and an open market among Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday he would work intensively with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to resolve the escalating trade war with the United States.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
A clarion call for Trump's peace
The world watches as you, President Trump, meet with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and India's Narendra Modi, navigating a path to peace that resonates with Pakistani-Americans. The US remains a beacon of hope, with 83% of Americans prioritising freedom over security. Yet, Gaza's bloodshed and Kashmir's unrest demand your leadership. Pakistani-Americans, part of America's vibrant tapestry, urge you to wield your influence for justice, not chaos. Your "America First" vision can bridge divides, but only if it honours the sacrifices of allies like Pakistan and the aspirations of oppressed communities. The time for fearless diplomacy is now, before more lives are lost. Gaza bleeds under Israel's assault. The ICC's warrants against Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant signal accountability for war crimes, yet the blockade persists, causing 90% unemployment and 80% food insecurity. Your campaign promise of "No More Wars" inspired millions, but silence on Gaza darkens that hope. Pakistani-Americans, many in Blue states, voted for you, believing in your resolve. Engage Netanyahu to secure a ceasefire, aligning with America's commitment to justice and halting this humanitarian catastrophe before it fuels further global unrest. For 77 years, Kashmiris have endured a denied UN plebiscite, rejected by India in 1949 under US-nominated Admiral Chester Nimitz, while Gaza mourns more than 57,000 deaths from Israel's ICC-indicted war crimes. Modi's 2019 Kashmir clampdown, with 900,000 troops, and 2025 IWT suspension, attacking Pakistan's water lifeline, align with Netanyahu's airstrikes on Iran and Lebanon, shunning diplomacy. Bill Clinton warned in 2025, "Netanyahu wants to fight Iran to stay in office forever Trump should defuse the situation and end civilian deaths." Their collaboration fuels anguish, with Modi's Nepal and Bangladesh tensions mirroring Netanyahu's regional conflicts. America must bolster US-Pakistan cooperation to broker dialogue, easing Kashmiris' and Palestinians' cries. Modi's legacy as Gujarat's CM during the 2002 riots, where over 1,000 died, mostly Muslims, stains his record. His ties to RSS, a Hindu nationalist group, embolden destabilising policies, from Kashmir's lockdown to laws targeting minorities. Your meetings with Modi, President Trump, overlook this history, risking America's commitment to justice. Pakistani-Americans urge you to challenge Modi's actions, particularly his defiance of US mediation offers. A principled stance can prevent further escalation, ensuring South Asia's stability and honouring the values of fairness you championed in 2016. In 1979, Pakistan, America's Cold War ally, suffered 80,000 terrorism deaths, 3.5 million refugees and a drug surge. Hillary Clinton noted in 2010, "We trained and funded the mujahideen, then left a vacuum that fueled al-Qaeda and extremism in Pakistan." Yet, its fifth-largest population is scapegoated, fueling anguish. Over one million Pakistani-Americans, including 50,000 professionals25,000 doctors, professors, IT experts - enrich the US, their loyalty shining through Blue-state "America First" support via Pakistanis For Trump. German Chancellor Merz's June 2025 gift of Trump's grandfather's birth certificate symbolised shared roots. Recognising Pakistan's sacrifices can rebuild US-Pakistan trust, fostering peace for scarred communities. Your 2016 pledge of "No More Wars" resonated with 62% of Americans wary of foreign entanglements. Yet, your alignment with Netanyahu and Modi, despite their aggressive policies, betrays that promise. The "deep state" rhetoric, echoed in 2025 campaign ads, divides rather than unites. Pakistani-Americans, who supported you in Blue states, feel sidelined as Gaza and Kashmir burn. Your leadership can reclaim America's moral high ground by rejecting divisive tactics and engaging allies like Pakistan to broker peace. President Trump, your meetings with Netanyahu and Modi offer a chance to transcend partisan divides. The DSA's radical rainbow hues, as seen in 2025 protests, cannot dictate policy, but neither should unchecked aggression. America must lead with principle, not expediency. Pakistani-Americans and allies urge you to champion diplomacy in Gaza and Kashmir, honouring the Founding Fathers' vision of justice. Your "America First" mandate can forge a legacy of peace, uniting nations and restoring trust in a fractured world.
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Five EU states to test age-check app to protect children online
Politicians are increasingly worried about online risks as rising evidence shows social media and excessive smartphone pose risks to minors' mental and physical health. PHOTO: PEXELS Listen to article Five EU countries including France will test an app aimed at preventing children from accessing harmful content online by checking users' ages, the European Commission said Monday. Several European nations have ramped up the pressure on the bloc to better protect minors online through more stringent measures, with some going as far as to advocate banning social media for under-15s. On Monday, the commission unveiled the prototype of an age-verification app that Denmark, France, Greece, Italy and Spain will customise to launch national versions within several months. "It will allow users to easily prove they are over 18 years old, protecting children from inappropriate content," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told reporters. Read More: Stanford study warns AI chatbots fall short on mental health support "It's hard to imagine a world where kids can enter a store to buy alcohol, to go to a nightclub by simply stating that they are old enough, no bouncers, no ID checks, just a simple 'Yes, I am over the age of 18'" Danish digital minister Caroline Stage Olsen said. "That has been the case online for many years," she added alongside Virkkunen, saying the new app would help ensure there were "no more nightclubs without bouncers." The aim is for each member state to develop their own app since they have different rules and may wish to tailor age limits for different services -- ranging from porn or gambling sites, to social platforms like Instagram or TikTok. For example, France has set a minimum age of 15 to use social media, greater than the 13 set by the platforms themselves -- though it is still waiting for an EU green light for those rules to come into force. The 27-country European Union has some of the world's strictest digital rules to bring Big Tech to heel, with several investigations ongoing into how platforms protect children -- or fail to do so. Once the app is available, users would be able to download it from an online store and then use it to verify that they are above the age to access a website or platform. But the commission said it will be "further customised" by EU states alongside platforms and users themselves. Stage Olsen said the app could also be used in the real world, for example, customers could use it to prove their age while buying alcohol or cigarettes. Among the bloc's existing legal weaponry is the content moderation law known as the Digital Services Act (DSA), which has strict rules to safeguard children. Also Read: Google introduces image-to-video feature in Gemini AI app On Monday, the EU also published recommendations under the DSA to online platforms to ensure the safety of children and prevent their exposure to dangerous behaviour. These include removing "addictive" features such as "read receipts" which tell users when an individual has seen their message, making it easier for minors to block or mute users and preventing accounts from downloading or taking screenshots of content. The EU also recommended platforms turn off notifications by default, especially during sleeping hours, limit apps' access to photos or turn off the camera by default. Backed by France and Spain, Greece pushed a proposal in June for how the EU should restrict children's use of online platforms. Politicians are increasingly worried about online risks as rising evidence shows social media and excessive smartphone pose risks to minors' mental and physical health. Denmark, which took charge of the rotating six-month EU presidency in July, has indicated the issue is a key priority and will push the bloc to take further action.
Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
EU sees some good signs on Gaza aid but more needed, says EU foreign policy chief
BRUSSELS: There have been some good signs of more trucks and supplies getting to Gaza but the European Union needs to see more improvement on the ground, the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday, ahead of a meeting with senior Middle Eastern and EU officials in Brussels. The EU reached an agreement with Israel last week to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza strip, including increasing aid trucks and opening crossing points and certain aid routes. EU says Israel has agreed to 'expand' Gaza aid access 'We see some good signs of more trucks getting in, more supplies to the people of Gaza, but of course we know that this is not enough, and we need to push more that the implementation of what we have agreed also happens on the ground,' Kallas told reporters.
