The EU has offered Trump a trade truce, but the White House demands financial “reparations” and $350B in energy purchases.

On April 7, EU ministers agreed to prioritize negotiations over countermeasures in response to US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, which impact 70% (€380B) of total European exports. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU is ready to negotiate a zero-to-zero tariff agreement on industrial goods and cars.

“We need to remain calm and reduce tensions. But we are ready to take countermeasures if necessary to bring the Americans to the negotiating table,” said Reinette Klever, the Dutch trade minister.

The EC is preparing 25% counter-tariffs on several US goods. The vote is scheduled for April 9, and the final list will be adopted on April 15. Tariffs on products from the first package of trade measures will take effect on the same day, the remaining tariffs on May 15.

Moreover, the EU may abandon the American payment infrastructure and develop its own payment system to avoid US dependence.

In turn, Trump stated that the US will not negotiate with Europe on altering tariffs and declared that the EU must commit to purchasing $350B in American energy to receive a reprieve from large-scale tariffs.