EU Caves To Trump, Offers ‘Zero-For-Zero’ Tariffs On Industrial Goods

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EU Caves To Trump, Offers ‘Zero-For-Zero’ Tariffs On Industrial Goods

Trending Politics News
By Mark Steffen
April 7, 2025

The European Union declared on Monday that its members are “ready to negotiate” with President Donald Trump three days after a devastating wave of tariffs have left their imprint on exports bound for the U.S.

In prepared remarks, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen insisted that Europe “is always ready for a good deal,” underscoring a theme that President Trump has sought to strike since leveeing the tariffs last week. Von der Leyen’s speech is the most high-profile instance of a European leader appearing to acknowledge that the E.U. would not be able to maintain its trade surplus against the U.S. for much longer.

“We have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods as we have successfully done with many other trading partners,” the German politician said before welcoming Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre to Brussels.

The tariffs, she added, “come … at immense costs for US consumers and businesses,” as she insisted the EU “stand ready to negotiate with the United States.”

The EU will remain prepared to “respond through countermeasures and defend our interests” as it looked to step up its protection against “indirect effects [of] trade diversion,” Von de Leyen stated, according to the Guardian.

The next step toward nullifying U.S.-E.U. tariffs will take place later this week when the European leader meets with politicians from other E.U. nations to discuss “strengthening our single market [by] getting rid of remaining barriers.”

(more)
https://trendingpoliticsnews.com/breaking-eu-caves-to-trump-offers-zero-for-zero-tariffs-on-industrial-goods-mstef/

[Fishrrman]

"That didn't take very long..."

[BobfromWB]

Except its not about the tariff numbers - its about Navarro's idea on how the balance of trade should be managed. Which is why 47 is saying no deal until the EU buys billions of dollars more stuff from the US.

Pity the major producer of vanilla, Lesotho, where the average wage is $3 a day.They cannot afford  to buy [ to them ] very expensive US-made goods. So they get a 34% (I think) tariff slapped on them. They have nothing to negotiate with.

So much for small mom & pop bakeries that use vanilla to make pastries.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Good start.  Now let's talk about the VAT barrier.

[catfish1957]

Good start.  Now let's talk about the VAT barrier.

Good point....

One point of contention, that I hope you and DCP can take to your contacts....   I love the way Trump is working this angle for trade parity, but he really needs to ditch Navarro and few others in his inner circle who want Tariffs so entrenched and institutionalized that the strangle us eventually into an isolationist corner.  Almost 100% of the economist that i trust, including the likes of Kudlow, Dimon, Santelli et. al are not happy with the prospects of this being a long term strategy. 

Right now...  we got your backs, but don't let this backfire.

We do not have the industrial base at this exact moment to extract advantage

[DCPatriot]

Good point....

One point of contention, that I hope you and DCP can take to your contacts....   I love the way Trump is working this angle for trade parity, but he really needs to ditch Navarro and few others in his inner circle who want Tariffs so entrenched and institutionalized that the strangle us eventually into an isolationist corner.  Almost 100% of the economist that i trust, including the likes of Kudlow, Dimon, Santelli et. al are not happy with the prospects of this being a long term strategy. 

Right now...  we got your backs, but don't let this backfire.

We do not have the industrial base at this exact moment to extract advantage

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Good start.  Now let's talk about the VAT barrier.

Yeah and our states have sales taxes... most of them do anyway. So what?

[catfish1957]

Yeah and our states have sales taxes... most of them do anyway. So what?

 

I think these are national VAT's.  Does anyone know whether EU countries have their own local taxes too?  And how much are they typically?

[Bigun]

I think these are national VAT's.  Does anyone know whether EU countries have their own local taxes too?  And how much are they typically?

Great Britton has income tax AND a VAT. Or at least did at one time. I'm not entirely sure but I think that is/was common in the EU.

[mountaineer]

Random tweets:

Ian Miles Cheong
@stillgray
BREAKING: The EU has agreed to hit the brakes on counter-tariffs against the US for 90 days, signaling a step toward restoring sensible trade relations and a big win for American interests.
7:06 AM · Apr 10, 2025

Inevitable West
@Inevitablewest
🚨BREAKING: Meloni will defy the EU to travel to the U.S next week to negotiate a trade deal on Italy’s own terms
Trump is dismantling the EU.
7:15 AM · Apr 10, 2025

[catfish1957]

Random tweets:

Ian Miles Cheong
@stillgray
BREAKING: The EU has agreed to hit the brakes on counter-tariffs against the US for 90 days, signaling a step toward restoring sensible trade relations and a big win for American interests.
7:06 AM · Apr 10, 2025

Inevitable West
@Inevitablewest
🚨BREAKING: Meloni will defy the EU to travel to the U.S next week to negotiate a trade deal on Italy’s own terms
Trump is dismantling the EU.
7:15 AM · Apr 10, 2025

While we still have Briefers saying this has been a "disaster" 

[DefiantMassRINO]

... but then it will take forever for American goods to be allowed through Euro-zone customs.

Europeans will find more discrete ways to disadvantage American products, like they try with American software companies.

[catfish1957]

... but then it will take forever for American goods to be allowed through Euro-zone customs.

Europeans will find more discrete ways to disadvantage American products, like they try with American software companies.

European snobbery will never stop, its been their nature for 100's of years towards us. We are the uncultured, uncouth stepchildren.  Our best bet is commodities like farm products.  If we focus on those areas, I think we can chisel that mindset. 

[Kamaji]

I think these are national VAT's.  Does anyone know whether EU countries have their own local taxes too?  And how much are they typically?

Generally no, they don’t have local taxes the way a lot of US municipalities have local sales tax.

[Smokin Joe]

Great Britton has income tax AND a VAT. Or at least did at one time. I'm not entirely sure but I think that is/was common in the EU.

Canada, too, but the VATs are provincial, iirc.

By the time you are done at the register, the VAT takes a lot of the luster off what seemed like a great deal. (My last experience in Regina).