🔴Retaliatory in a trade dispute with the United States.

🔹 A senior official warned that the European Union must present a credible threat of retaliation if it wants to secure a favorable agreement in the ongoing trade dispute initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump. Two EU officials revealed that Seibert, chief of staff to the President of the European Commission, informed EU ambassadors last week, after the G7 summit, that the prospect of a strong response could convince the U.S. President to reduce the high tariffs imposed on the EU.

🔹German Chancellor Merz also hinted that his government would support tougher measures. On Tuesday, he stated: "If no agreement is reached, we are ready to use various options. We can and will defend our interests." Seibert told the ambassadors that the President of the European Commission, von der Leyen, is prepared to escalate negotiations to secure a better deal. He urged them to support a package of tariffs on U.S. goods worth 95 billion euros and mentioned that the European Commission is also preparing measures targeting the services sector, including taxing U.S. tech companies and restricting U.S. companies' access to public procurement contracts.