Brussels makes progress but no breakthrough on EU-US trade deal
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Negotiators from the European Parliament and European Council faced-off Wednesday night to aiming to conclude the EU-US trade deal. Despite the lengthy discussion and fears of a potential US retaliation, no end was brokered, with talks continuing on 19 May.
Good morning. My name is Angela Skujins and I am penning this Thursday’s newsletter.
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Crunch trade talks by EU officials went deep into Wednesday night. The aim: finalising the EU-US trade deal on Brussels’ side. Whilst there was no midnight breakthrough, one diplomatic source told Euronews on condition of anonymity the legislative file is expected to get a tick of approval on 19 May.
But is this fast enough for US President Donald Trump? His ambassador to Brussels Andrew Puzder told Bloomberg this morning that Washington and Brussels cut the trade a deal last year. “Our representatives put it to paper in August. We cut the tariffs, retroactive to August 1 on automobiles. You've done nothing for nine months,” he said.
German MEP Bernd Lange (S&D), chair of the European Parliament’s influential trade committee and representing MEPs at the discussions, said: “We made good progress on the issue of the safeguard mechanism and the review and evaluation of the main regulation, but there is still some way to go.”
He confirmed the discussions will continue in the coming weeks.
Representing member states as Cyprus holds the EU Council presidency, Cypriot Minister of Commerce Michael Damianos said there is a commitment to move swiftly with the implementation of the EU-US joint statement and to work with the European Parliament.
But the talks, he said, continue to be rooted in finding a “successful and balanced outcome in a timely manner” for European businesses.
As Peggy Corlin and Vincenzo Genovese report, negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council entered talks that had, from the outset, been forecast to have slim prospects.
They faced tight deadlines, strict demands, and repeated tariff threats, as seen on Friday when US President Donald Trump announced 25% import levies on European cars, which breaches the Turnberry agreement’s 15% tariff cap on European exports.
Prior to Wednesday's negotiations, one European diplomat argued to Euronews the conditions proposed by MEPs went “too far” – while Socialist MEP Brando Benifei explained that Trump’s continued threats compelled the parliament to insist on “solid guarantees”.
Many wonder now how Trump will respond.
‘Ukraine will respond in kind’, Zelenskyy says after Russia breaks Kyiv-backed ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of rejecting efforts towards a ceasefire with hourly attacks across the country, warning Moscow that Kyiv will “respond in kind.”
“As of today, we see that Russia has responded to our proposal for a ceasefire only with new strikes and new attacks,” Zelenskyy said in an evening address on Wednesday.
“Depending on the situation tonight and tomorrow, we will also determine our entirely justified responses.”
Ukraine’s president also stated that Russia “received a clear proposal” from Kyiv regarding a ceasefire and diplomacy and the Kremlin “knows how to contact Ukraine or its partners to agree on the details.” Sasha Vakulina has the story.
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We're also keeping an eye on
- EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas meets Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi.
- European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič co-chairs the EU-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue.
That’s it for today. Peggy Corlin, Vincenzo Genovese and Sasha Vakulina contributed to this newsletter.
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