Washington Talks Unnerve Brussels as Trump Threatens Food Tariffs

Recent talks in Washington have left Brussels unnerved, as Donald Trump’s threat of a 17% tariff on European food and farm produce exports now looms large. This potential duty would directly impact beloved items such as Belgian chocolate, Irish Kerrygold butter, and olive oil from Italy, Spain, and France, which are highly popular among US consumers.
The stark warning was reportedly delivered to EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič by top US officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, indicating the severity of the US stance. EU ambassadors were briefed on Friday, underscoring the gravity of Trump’s “aggressive negotiating position,” which he once controversially equated to being “nastier” than China in trade.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, EU trade spokesperson Olof Gill stated that the bloc continues to “favour a negotiated solution” and that “progress was made towards an agreement in principle” during the latest round of discussions. Yet, the EU is simultaneously preparing for a potential trade war, with plans for retaliatory tariffs on a broad spectrum of US products, including Bourbon and Boeing 747s, if a resolution isn’t reached before the Wednesday deadline.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has advocated for a pragmatic, high-level framework deal, acknowledging the impracticality of securing a comprehensive agreement in the short term. A key demand from the EU is immediate tariff relief for vital industries, particularly the auto sector, which has been hit hard by a substantial 27.5% US tariff. The expiration of the 90-day tariff pause for dozens of countries, including the EU, on Wednesday, intensifies the pressure on these crucial trade negotiations.