Brussels: European Commission Vice President and trade chief Maros Sefcovic said late Friday that the EU remains committed to fair negotiations with Washington, following US President Donald Trump's call for a 50% tariff on goods from the bloc starting next month.

According to Anadolu Agency, Sefcovic emphasized the EU's dedication to securing a mutually beneficial trade agreement with the US. He stated on X, after engaging with business figures, that "EU-US trade is unmatched and must be guided by mutual respect, not threats." He further assured that Brussels is prepared to defend the bloc's interests in the face of potential tariffs.

Trump's proposal, which he announced through a post accusing the EU of exploiting the US on trade, includes imposing a 50% tariff on EU imports beginning June 1. He argued that the EU is challenging to negotiate with, citing trade barriers, corporate penalties, and a trade deficit exceeding $250 billion annually. Trump justified the tariffs as an essential measure due to stalled discussions.

While the European Commission has not yet announced any specific retaliatory actions, it is expected to organize consultations in the forthcoming days to address the situation.