The European Union is offering the United States a zero-tariff trade agreement following the Trump administration’s imposition of new import taxes, including a 20% levy announced last week.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the proposal during a joint press conference Monday with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
“We have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods as we have successfully done with many other trading partners,” von der Leyen said.
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“Because Europe is always ready for a good deal. So we keep it on the table.”
The move comes in response to escalating trade tensions following President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement on April 2, which outlined a 10% global baseline tariff along with increased levies on several imports.
A second round of tariffs is scheduled to take effect on April 9.
Von der Leyen also noted that the EU remains open to negotiations but will act if necessary.
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“We stand ready to negotiate with the US,” she said.
“We are also prepared to respond through countermeasures and defend our interests.”
BREAKING: The European Union says they’re ready to negotiate with the United States, says they’ve offered zero for zero tariffs.
The announcement was made by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
“Europe is always ready for a good deal. So we keep it on the… pic.twitter.com/yTRTS8B4us
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 7, 2025
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, of Slovakia, detailed the scope of the proposed zero-for-zero agreement, which would apply to a range of industrial sectors, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, rubber, plastic machinery, and automobiles.
Despite the offer, EU officials have not ruled out taking retaliatory measures in response to previous tariffs.
President Trump previously set a 25% tariff on foreign-made cars entering the United States, along with similar tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
The current EU tariff on agricultural goods from non-U.S. sources averages about 1.6%, while American-made cars are typically subject to a 10% duty when entering the European market.
Following the developments, European markets showed initial volatility.
The STOXX Europe 600 index dropped by 6% at the opening of trading Monday but later recovered to close down 2.9%.
Analysts attributed the rebound in part to von der Leyen’s willingness to pursue a trade resolution.
“The European Union was formed for one reason. You know what that was? To rip off the United States. Put that in your bonnet. I hope you had a good flight.”
Donald J. Trump is MY President. pic.twitter.com/nB3sV0PHYZ
— Thomas Hern (@ThomasMHern) April 7, 2025
The U.S. response to the EU’s offer has yet to be formalized.
However, Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, commented positively on the situation over the weekend.
“I hope that the United States and Europe can establish a very close partnership,” Musk said.
“Effectively creating a free-trade zone between Europe and North America.”
Elon Musk: I hope that, at the end of the day, Europe and the US will have a free-trade zone.
“I hope that the United States and Europe can establish a very close partnership. There’s an alliance already, but I’m hopeful that there can be a very close relationship with America… pic.twitter.com/D1HhKa0i66
— ELON CLIPS (@ElonClipsX) April 7, 2025
Musk added that he was “hopeful” a zero-tariff arrangement could be reached.
Efforts to establish such a trade zone previously gained traction during President Barack Obama’s second term, through negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
Talks on that deal collapsed in 2016 after documents were leaked by the environmental activist group Greenpeace, resulting in a political backlash.
Major obstacles at the time included differences in food safety regulations and labeling standards between the U.S. and EU.
Negotiations officially ended during Trump’s first term in 2019.
As of now, the Trump administration has not indicated whether it will accept the EU’s latest zero-tariff proposal or respond with additional trade measures.
The second round of tariffs remains set to take effect on April 9.
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