European Commission President Wants To Negotiate Tariffs With The Trump Administration According Statement

By
Rachel Stevenson
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Well, well, well—look who’s suddenly eager to play nice. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is now dangling the offer of “zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods” in front of President Trump like a peace offering from someone who just realized they might be sitting at the wrong end of the trade cannon. Funny how fast the high-minded globalists of Brussels start preaching cooperation once they feel the sting of a 20% tariff about to hit their fragile export economy.

Let’s back up for a moment and appreciate the irony. For decades, the U.S. has bent over backwards to accommodate European markets. We’ve played by the rules, lowered our tariffs, opened up our borders to their cars, wines, cheeses, and endless regulations dressed up as “environmental protection.” Meanwhile, they’ve gleefully slapped American goods with double-digit import duties, all while lecturing us about “free trade” from atop their ivory towers. You know, the kind of free trade where we give and they take—sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

So when President Trump rolled out his “Liberation Day” tariffs—yes, that’s right, he named it like it’s D-Day for the American economy—it was a long-overdue wake-up call. No more letting our industries bleed out while bureaucrats in Brussels sip espresso and dictate how many hormones our beef can have. Trump hit back with a 25% tariff on their steel and aluminum last month, and now he’s adding a 20% tax on their industrial imports. The message is loud and clear: The days of Uncle Sam being the world’s doormat are over.

Of course, Europe didn’t take it too well. They hit back with tariffs on American meat, dairy, and alcohol—because when in doubt, go after American farmers and whiskey. Classic. Their retaliation started on April 1 (no joke), and the full brunt is set to roll out by April 13. But here’s the kicker: they’re still trying to negotiate. Why? Because deep down, even the most smug EU bureaucrat knows their economy doesn’t hold up so well when they lose access to American markets. You can only sell so many overpriced Peugeots and wind turbines to yourselves before reality kicks in.

And let’s talk about the double standard for a second. The U.S. charges a mere 2.5% tariff on imported vehicles. Meanwhile, the EU charges 10%, China 15%, and India a whopping 70%. But we’re the bad guys here? Spare us. This “trade defense arsenal” von der Leyen and her gang keep threatening to unleash is built on a foundation of hypocrisy. It’s not about fairness—it’s about maintaining their sweetheart deal while keeping America permanently playing defense.

Here’s the truth: Trump’s tariffs aren’t the problem—they’re the response to a problem that global elites have been ignoring for years. It’s not about protectionism for the sake of it, it’s about fairness. Level playing field. Reciprocity. Words that apparently make European leaders break out in hives.

So now, as the EU scrambles to get 27 member states on the same page for more retaliatory tariffs, they’re also sending not-so-subtle signals that they’re open for a deal—just as long as it happens before their exporters start really feeling the heat. They say they “won’t wait endlessly,” but let’s be honest—they don’t have the leverage to hold out. Trump’s negotiating from a position of strength, and for once, America isn’t playing the fool.

It’s about time we stopped apologizing for wanting what every other country already demands—fair trade. And if that means rattling some cages in Brussels, then so be it.

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