Overview

• At an EU summit in Brussels, Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the bloc’s negotiation tactics as overly complicated and pushed for rapid agreements to safeguard automotive, chemical and steel sectors.
• White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the administration is open to extending the tariff truce but emphasized that any change requires President Trump’s approval.
• Trump’s April measures imposed 25% duties on vehicles, steel and aluminum while temporarily lowering most other rates to 10% for 90 days.
• The EU Commission has drafted potential counter-tariffs targeting U.S. exports as a fallback if talks fail to yield a deal by the early July deadline.
• Industry groups warn that prolonged uncertainty over tariffs could further disrupt transatlantic supply chains and drive up costs for manufacturers.