The European Commission is trying to head off a transatlantic trade conflict.
MUNICH — EU trade boss Maroš Šefčovič will travel to Washington next week for high-level meetings as Europe braces for a potential trade war with the United States, three officials confirmed to POLITICO.
The European Commission executive vice president is poised to hold meetings with senior members of Donald Trump’s administration including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer — who have not yet been confirmed — as well as Kevin Hassett, Trump’s top economic adviser.
A European Commission spokesperson later confirmed Šefčovič’s trip.
The U.S. president unveiled a proposal on Friday to impose reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners which he said would come into effect as early as April.
The EU is one of America’s largest economic partners, with more than €1.5 trillion worth of goods and services traded each year.
The 27-member bloc runs a trade surplus in goods with the United States, which Trump has frequently criticized. However, the U.S. runs a surplus in services; the overall U.S. trade deficit with the EU was a relatively small €48 billion in 2023.
The Commission on Friday denounced Washington’s announcement of new tariffs as “a step in the wrong direction.”
“The EU maintains some of the lowest tariffs in the world and sees no justification for increased US tariffs on its exports,” the Commission said in a statement.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen doubled down on a pledge to take action if the United States imposes tariffs.
“We will use our tools to safeguard our economic security and interests. And we will protect our workers, businesses and consumers at every turn,” she said at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
The threat of reciprocal tariffs from Washington comes on top of trade action on steel and aluminum imports announced by Trump last week.
The U.S. president hit the European Union with tariffs on steel and aluminum in 2018 during his first presidential term, which prompted reciprocal action from Brussels which imposed tariffs on U.S. products like bourbon and Harley Davidson motorcycles.
POLITICO reported last week that top von der Leyen aide Bjoern Seibert has traveled to Washington in recent weeks for talks on avoiding a trade war.
Šefčovič, the Slovak commissioner, would be the most senior EU figure to visit Washington since Trump assumed office on Jan. 20.
Koen Verhelst contributed reporting.
