Trump and EU’s von der Leyen Agree to Future Meeting Amid Tariff Tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen briefly met on Saturday during Pope Francis’ funeral, agreeing to arrange a formal meeting at a later date, according to von der Leyen’s spokesperson Paula Pinho. No further details about the upcoming meeting were disclosed.

This would mark their first meeting since Trump’s return to the White House in January. Despite overseeing the European Union’s trade policy, von der Leyen has faced difficulties securing direct talks with Trump, even as tensions escalate over trade tariffs.

The U.S. recently reimposed steep tariffs, with 25% duties on EU cars, steel, and aluminum products since March, followed by 20% tariffs on other EU goods in April. While Washington halved the 20% tariffs temporarily, it set a July 8 deadline to negotiate a broader trade agreement. Without progress, tariffs could fully return, potentially intensifying economic strain between the two powers.

In response, the European Union suspended plans for retaliatory tariffs and offered a zero-duty arrangement for all industrial goods. However, EU Economic Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis noted that the U.S. showed only "moderate" interest in the proposal, signaling that considerable negotiation efforts are still required to avoid a trade war.

The brief encounter between Trump and von der Leyen could offer a crucial opportunity to reset strained relations and foster a path toward mutual tariff reductions. However, with time running out, both sides must act swiftly to bridge differences and prevent further economic fallout.