EU to push for deal with U.S, to avoid prohibitive tariff
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would impose 30% tariffs on most EU imports from August 1, though diplomats say there is still time to hammer out an agreement to prevent this.
European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said he had sensed that talks with U.S. counterparts were approaching "a good outcome for both sides" but the new tariff threat had created "a new dynamic".
A 30% tariff rate would make it almost impossible to continue trading as before, with enormous consequences for supply chains and negative impacts on both sides of the Atlantic.
"And therefore I think we have to do, and I will definitely do, everything I can to prevent this super-negative scenario," he told reporters before a meeting of EU ministers to discuss trade.
Despite Trump's letter, Sefcovic said he understood that U.S. negotiators were willing to continue negotiations, though he warned that the EU would need to prepare for all outcomes, including possible countermeasures.
The Commission has proposed suspending the EU's first package of potential tariffs on 21 billion euros ($24.5 billion) worth of U.S. goods. An initial suspension was due to expire by midnight on Monday.
It is also likely to seek the green light on Monday for a second package that would hit 72 billion euros of U.S. goods.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen agreed that it was too early to impose countermeasures and that he hoped the EU would remain united on that front.
"But we should prepare to be ready to use all the tools," he added. "If you want peace, you have to prepare for war. And I think that's where we are."
French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin said the EU should go beyond what the Commission had outlined to date, saying the bloc should also look at targeting U.S. services or use its wide-ranging "anti-coercion" instrument.
This instrument allows the bloc to retaliate against third countries that put economic pressure on EU members to change their policies.
"This balance of power desired by Donald Trump is a balance of power in which you must demonstrate your ability to fight back. And this is perhaps where we need to accelerate today," Saint-Martin said.
($1 = 0.8559 euros)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
ICE memo reveals Trump's plan to scrap bond hearings to keep millions of illegal migrants locked up
Millions of migrants who entered the United States illegally will be forced to remain behind bars while their deportation proceedings continue for months or even years under a new Trump administration policy. Acting Director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd M. Lyons told agents in a July 8 memo obtained by the Washington Post that such migrants will no longer be eligible for a bond hearing and should be detained 'for the duration of their removal proceedings.' He revealed the Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department ' revisited its legal position on detention and release authorities', and determined that migrants 'may not be released from ICE custody.' This new policy reverses legal standards governing migrant detention that have been held for decades, said Tom Jawetz, a former homeland security official in the Biden administration, who called it 'a radical departure that could explode the detention population.' In the past, those who were marked for deportation have been able to request a bond hearing before a judge. If the judge were then to grant the migrant a bond, he or she could be released into society as their deportation proceedings continued in the courts. As of last year, the majority of the 7.6 million migrants on ICE's docket were released, the agency's annual report revealed. But under the new guidance, those migrants will be forced to remain in detention centers, where the agency is currently holding about 56,000 migrants each day. The capacity, though, is expected to nearly double under the recently-passed Big Beautiful Bill, which allocates $45 billion over the next four years to lock up migrants for civil deportation proceedings. The new policy will apply to any migrant who illegally crossed into the country at the southern border over the past few decades, including those who came in record numbers during the Biden administration. In rare circumstances, migrants may still be released on parole - but that decision must be made by immigration officers and not judges, according to the memo. The Trump administration is justifying the reversal of its policy by citing a provision of immigration law that states that migrants 'shall be detained' after their arrest, which the memo says should be taken as a 'prohibition on release.' But the provision has long been interpreted as to apply only to those who had recently crossed the border - and in the memo Lyons even notes that the shift in policy is 'likely to be litigated.' In the meantime, he encouraged ICE prosecutors 'to make alternative arguments in support of continued detention' as immigration lawyers say they have already seen migrants being denied bond hearings in more than a dozen immigration courts across the US. Those migrants now find themselves being deported to a 'third country' with as little as six hours notice if they have been given an opportunity to speak with an attorney. 'This is their way of putting in place nationwide a method of detaining even more people,' said Greg Chen, the senior director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. 'It's requiring the detention of far more people without any real review of their individual circumstances.' Immigrant rights groups also argue that the new guidance deprives migrants of their due process rights, with immigration lawyer and former ICE chief counsel for the Dallas, Texas area noting that migrants 'could be held indefinitely until they're deported.' Other attorneys have likened the new policy to a position taken by several immigration judges in Tacoma, Washington, who have denied hearings to anyone who crossed the border illegally. The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in Seattle filed a suit in March challenging the judges' actions, arguing that their refusal to hold a bond hearing violated the migrants' rights, according to the Washington Post. Its original plaintiff Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez has lived in the state since 2009 and works as a farmer. He argued that his entire family are US citizens and he even owns the home where ICE officers arrested him in February for living in the country illegally. By April, a federal judge in Washington state found that he had 'no criminal history in the United States or anywhere else in the world' and ordered immigration officers to give him a proper bond hearing before a judge. The judge, though, denied him bond and he has since been deported back to Mexico. An attorney representing Rodriguez Vasquez now says the Trump administration's decision to deny migrants bond hearings is 'flagrantly unlawful' and argued that the policy 'is looking to supercharge detention beyond what it already is.' Those in favor of the policy change, however, have argued that it might discourage migrants from filing frivolous claims in hopes of being released into the community while their cases proceed through the backlogged immigration courts. 'Detention is absolutely the best way to approach this, if you can do it. It costs a lot of money, obviously,' said Mark Krikorian, the executive director for the Center for Immigration Studies. 'You're pretty much guaranteed to be able to remove the person if there's a negative finding, if he's in detention.' Migrants who have been convicted of murder or other serious crimes were already subject to mandatory detention without bond, and this year, the Republican-led Congress added theft-related crimes to the list of those that are not bond-eligible. Government officials have also reopened family detention centers that the Biden administration shuttered due to security concerns, and have reinforced other facilities like the controversial 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center in the Florida Everglades. Democrat lawmakers who were granted access to tour the hastily-constructed facility have lamented the tough conditions migrants housed there will face. Florida Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz compared the facility to an internment camp and insisted 'there are really disturbing, vile conditions,' demanding the 'place be shut the hell down.' The lawmakers said more than 30 migrants were packed into cage-style cells with just three combination sink-toilets. Temperatures hovered in the mid-80s inside medical intake tents. Detainees have reported worms in the food, overflowing toilets, and 24-hour lockdowns in cages teeming with mosquitoes. But Kevin Guthrie, from the Florida division of Emergency Management, has since claimed the Democrats' were lying about the conditions of the facility to make it seem worse than it is.
Daily Mail
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
MAGA mutiny takes intriguing twist after FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino threatened to quit over Epstein files
The Deputy Director of the FBI has returned to work days after he threatened to quit over the botched handling of the Epstein investigation. Dan Bongino, a longtime leading proponent of theories about Jeffrey Epstein 's client list, failed to show up to work on Friday after Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Donald Trump assured the public no such list exists. At the time it was reported he had threatened to resign over the botched handling of the investigation, which has sparked mutiny within the MAGA ranks and turned some of Trump's most loyal soldiers against him. But Bongino, a podcaster who was picked out of political obscurity to help lead the new-and-improved FBI, reportedly returned to work this week under a cloud of uncertainty about his future at the agency. By Monday morning, officials were starting to squirm and feared that Bongino would be a no-show yet again, but he arrived in the office a few hours later than expected. According to The Daily Beast, administration insiders claim Trump is quietly furious that one of his hand-picked appointees would so publicly go against him. Trump rushed to Bondi's defense amid mounting criticism from the likes of Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Steve Bannon, asking: 'What's going on with my ''boys'' and, in some cases, ''gals?'' 'They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening. 'We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein.' Even after his defense of her, major MAGA backers are demanding Bondi lose her job over the saga. There were initially whispers that Bongino and FBI boss Kash Patel were united in their willingness to walk away from their jobs if Bondi kept hers, but Patel has since squashed those rumors. 'The conspiracy theories just aren't true, never have been,' Patel said. 'It's an honor to serve the President of the United States @realDonaldTrump — and I'll continue to do so for as long as he calls on me.' Bongino was reportedly particularly irked by Bondi's decision to oversell what she initially had during the early stages of the Epstein investigation. In February, she invited MAGA influencers to the White House and gave them binders containing 'a truckload' of new details, but upon closer inspection it was discovered the folders contained no new information. Then, she said the highly anticipated client list was 'sitting on my desk' awaiting review before it, too, would be released. Now, she maintains a client list does not exist, and said in a memo that Epstein likely died by suicide, rather than the long-held conspiracy held by many within MAGA that he was murdered while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Sources claimed Bongino was confronted last week about information that was leaked to the media suggesting he and Patel wanted more information released to the public. He maintained he was not the source of the leaks. Trump told reporters on Sunday he had contacted Bongino and urged him not to resign. 'I spoke to him today,' he said. 'Dan Bongino, very good guy. I've known him a long time. I've done his show many, many times. He sounded terrific, actually.' Asked on Sunday if Bongino remained in his position, Trump said: 'Oh I think so.' As a popular pro-MAGA right-wing podcaster before joining the FBI, Bongino touted conspiracies that convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was murdered in jail to prevent the list of his high-profile clientele from reaching the light of day. Far-right media personality Laura Loomer warned Republicans that the lack of revelations in the Epstein case will cost them elections in the future. 'People make their own choices and decisions, but mark my word, the lack of actual results at the DOJ and lack of transparency that translates into incompetence will cost the GOP House and Senate seats.' But Bongino (pictured left with Trump), a podcaster who was picked out of political obscurity to help lead the new-and-improved FBI, reportedly returned to work this week under a cloud of uncertainty about his future at the agency 'Don't say I didn't warn you,' she added. Billionaire Elon Musk took a side when he unfollowed Bondi on X. On his podcast, conservative luminary Tucker Carlson theorized that Bondi is orchestrating a cover-up in order to protect members of the intelligence community who were ensnared in Epstein's conduct. 'The current DOJ under Pam Bondi is covering up crimes, very serious crimes by their own description,' Carlson said. 'Intel services are at the very center of this story, U.S. and Israeli and they're being protected.' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed Trump's continued support for Bondi despite calls to resign.
The Independent
41 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky names new PM after Trump threatens Putin with ‘severe' tariffs
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has asked first deputy prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko to lead a new government, setting the stage for a political reshuffle as Ukraine's war with Russia raged on. Ms Svyrydenko, 39, is an economist and has served as first deputy prime minister since 2021. She played a key role in recent negotiations for a minerals deal with the United States. This comes as Donald Trump once again expressed his disappointment with Russian president Vladimir Putin and announced 100 per cent sanctions on Russia as he pledged more weapons for Ukraine, including 17 Patriot missiles which Kyiv has urgently sought. "We're going to be doing secondary tariffs," the US president said, announcing sanctions on countries who trade with Moscow. "If we don't have a deal in 50 days, it's very simple, and they'll be at 100 per cent,' the US president said, adding that he was disappointed in Mr Putin. Mr Trump announced that billions of dollars of US weapons would go to Ukraine, and said: "We're going to make top-of-the-line weapons, and they'll be sent to Nato.' Zelensky thanks Trump for support as new sanctions on Putin likely Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday he had spoken to US president Donald Trump after his announcement of new weapons for Ukraine and thanked him for his support. "It was a very good conversation. I thanked him for his readiness to support Ukraine and to continue working together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace," Mr Zelensky wrote. His remarks come as Mr Trump announced new weapons for Ukraine yesterday, and threatened sanctions on buyers of Russian exports unless Russia agrees a peace deal in the next 50 days. Mr Trump's threat to impose so-called secondary sanctions on Russia, if carried out, would be a major shift in Western sanctions policy. Lawmakers from both US political parties are pushing for a bill that would authorise such measures, targeting other countries that buy Russian oil. Arpan Rai15 July 2025 06:36 Zelensky and Kellogg discuss joint arms production and defences Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says he had "a productive conversation" with US president Donald Trump's special envoy to Ukraine and Russia about strengthening Ukrainian air defences, joint arms production and purchasing US weapons in conjunction with European countries. The two also talked about the possibility of tighter international sanctions on the Kremlin. Mr Zelensky, who met retired Lt Gen Keith Kellogg in Kyiv, wrote on social media: "We hope for the leadership of the United States, because it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its ... ambitions are stopped by force." Arpan Rai15 July 2025 06:25 Several people injured in Russia as 55 Ukrainian drones downed overnight Several people were injured and houses and non-residential buildings were damaged as a result of Ukraine's overnight drone attack on Russia, regional officials said. The drones were downed in Russia's southwestern regions of Lipetsk and Voronezh, regional governors said this morning. The Russian defence ministry said on Telegram that its units destroyed 55 Ukrainian drones overnight over five Russian regions and the Black Sea, including three over the Lipetsk region. The full extent of damage from the attacks was not immediately known. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine about the attack. Russia's air defence units destroyed 12 drones over the Voronezh region that borders Ukraine, governor Alexander Gusev said on Telegram. "Unfortunately, there were injuries," Mr Gusev said. "In central Voronezh, several people sustained minor injuries due to debris from a downed UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles)." Several apartments in multi-storey buildings in the city of Voronezh that is the administrative centre of the broader Voronezh region were damaged, as well as houses in the suburbs, Mr Gusev said. Additionally, several commercial facilities throughout the region were damaged by falling drone debris, he said, without providing further details. In the city of Yelets in the Lipetsk region a drone crashed in an industrial zone, regional governor Igor Artamonov said on Telegram. "One person was injured and is receiving all necessary medical assistance," Mr Artamonov said. Arpan Rai15 July 2025 06:20 Trump says his sanctions threat is led by frustration with Putin Donald Trump said his shift in imposing punitive actions on Russia was motivated by frustration with Vladimir Putin. "We actually had probably four times a deal. And then the deal wouldn't happen because bombs would be thrown out that night and you'd say we're not making any deals," Mr Trump said. Last week he said, "We get a lot of bulls*** thrown at us by Putin." Since returning to the White House promising a quick end to the war, Mr Trump has sought rapprochement with Moscow, speaking several times with Mr Putin. His administration has pulled back from pro-Ukrainian policies such as backing Kyiv's membership in Nato and demanding Russia withdraw from all Ukrainian territory. But the Russian leader has yet to accept a proposal from Mr Trump for an unconditional ceasefire, which was quickly endorsed by Kyiv. Recent days have seen Russia use hundreds of drones to attack Ukrainian cities. Arpan Rai15 July 2025 05:16 Trump is looking at making money out of Nato – not saving Ukraine Donald Trump has not turned against Vladimir Putin. Rather, he has just announced a big day of future sales for the US arms industry with a buying bonanza for Ukraine by Nato. With the secretary general of Nato sitting next to him in the Oval Office, the US president warned that Russia would face '100 per cent' tariffs if it did not agree to a ceasefire with Kyiv inside 50 days. He went on to criticise Putin several times for his warm approach and manner on the telephone which he then followed up by renewed missile attacks on Ukraine. 'I wouldn't call him an assassin, but I would call him a very tough guy,' he said of the Russian president. Trump is looking at making money out of Nato – not saving Ukraine Don't be misled; Trump is peeved by Putin and will make money from his irritation out of Ukraine's war but he has not shifted away from Russia completely, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley Arpan Rai15 July 2025 05:05 Trump pledges more Patriots for Ukraine in coming days US president Donald Trump has said billions of dollars of US weapons would go to Ukraine, including more than a dozen Patriot air defence missiles. "We're going to make top-of-the-line weapons, and they'll be sent to Nato," Mr Trump said, adding that Washington's Nato allies would pay for them. The weapons would include Patriot air defence missiles Ukraine has urgently sought, he said. "It's a full complement with the batteries," Mr Trump said. "We're going to have some come very soon, within days." "We have one country that has 17 Patriots getting ready to be shipped... we're going to work a deal where the 17 will go or a big portion of the 17 will go to the war site,' he said. Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, who was sitting alongside Mr Trump in the Oval Office, said Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada all wanted to be a part of rearming Ukraine. 15 July 2025 04:44 'Trump did not go as far as Russian markets had feared' Artyom Nikolayev, an analyst from financial information firm Invest Era, said the US president Donald Trump did not go as far as Russian markets had feared. "Trump performed below market expectations. He gave 50 days during which the Russian leadership can come up with something and extend the negotiation track. Moreover, Trump likes to postpone and extend such deadlines," he said. Arpan Rai15 July 2025 04:36 Zelensky nominates new prime minister to lead Ukraine government Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has asked first deputy prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Monday to lead a new government, setting the stage for a political reshuffle as Ukraine's war with Russia raged on. Mr Zelensky also proposed that Ukraine's current prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, take over as defence minister, describing him as holding the right qualifications for a very important job. "We... discussed concrete measures to boost Ukraine's economic potential, expand support programs for Ukrainians, and scale up our domestic weapons production," Mr Zelensky wrote on X. "In pursuit of this goal, we are initiating a transformation of the executive branch in Ukraine," he said, adding that he had proposed that Ms Svyrydenko lead the government and "significantly renew its work". Ms Svyrydenko, 39, is an economist and has served as first deputy prime minister since 2021. She played a key role in recent negotiations for a minerals deal with the United States. Arpan Rai15 July 2025 04:27 Trump threatens Russia with new sanctions if no peace deal is reached in 50 days The US could impose crippling secondary sanctions on Russia if the three-year-old war it has been waging against Ukraine is not brought to an end by 2 September, president Donald Trump has said. Speaking in the Oval Office on Monday alongside Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, Mr Trump said he's 'very unhappy' with Russia and its president Vladimir Putin, and pledged to impose what he described as 'very severe tariffs' on Moscow 'if we don't have a deal in 50 days.' 'I'm disappointed in President Putin, because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn't seem to get there. So based on that, we're going to be doing secondary tariffs. If we don't have a deal in 50 days, it's very simple, and they'll be at 100 percent, and that's the way it is. That can be more simple. It's just the way it is. I hope we don't have to do it,' he said. Read Andrew Feinberg 's full report here: U.S. will also send weapons to Ukraine as Trump turns against Putin Arpan Rai15 July 2025 04:19
