European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Monday that the EU is preparing a list of retaliatory measures against the US amid escalating transatlantic trade tensions, while emphasizing a continued openness to negotiations.
“So it’s very clear that we are open for negotiations,” von der Leyen said during a joint press conference with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Brussels. “In parallel, we are preparing a potential list for retaliation and other measures if this is necessary. We prefer a negotiated solution.”
She stressed that EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis remains in close contact with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, but warned that any deal would need to address complex technical issues, adding, “It will be hard.”
Norway, though not an EU member, shares close economic ties with the bloc through the European Economic Area. Prime Minister Store expressed concern over the “unpredictable” US measures, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the integrity of Europe’s internal market.
“For Norway, Europe is by far our most important trading partner. Seventy percent of our exports go to this internal market,” Store said. “We will do everything to contribute to the integrity of the internal market.”
Von der Leyen reaffirmed Norway’s place in the single market, stating, “Norway will always stay in the single market. This is very important for us, and we’ll find solutions together.”
As part of its response strategy, the EU is launching an import surveillance task force to monitor sudden surges in redirected trade.
“We analyze historical imports to detect any significant spikes in certain products or sectors that may require action,” von der Leyen explained.
She reiterated the EU’s broader strategy of reinforcing the single market and expanding trade partnerships beyond the US.
“We will focus like a laser beam on the 83% of global trade that is beyond the United States,” she said, citing ongoing negotiations with India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries.
The rising trade friction comes amid broader global shifts as nations reassess economic alliances and supply chains.
