Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement issued in Brussels, "We take note of the letter sent by US President Trump, which sets out a revised tariff rate and a new timetable.
Imposing 30% tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, harming businesses, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.
Few economies in the world match the European Union in its level of openness and commitment to fair trade practices. The European Union has always prioritized a negotiated solution with the United States, reflecting our commitment to dialogue, stability, and a constructive transatlantic partnership.
We remain ready to continue working to reach an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to protect the EU's interests, including adopting proportionate countermeasures if necessary.
Meanwhile, we continue to deepen our global partnerships, anchored in the principles of rules-based international trade."
This came after the US President said Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he intends to impose 30 percent tariffs on Mexico and the European Union, as part of an additional push to push for trade agreements.
In two separate messages posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the tariffs would take effect on August 1, citing Mexico's role in "the flow of drugs into the United States" and the trade imbalance with the European Union.
The tariffs announced by Trump exceed the 25 percent he previously imposed on Mexican goods.
The same applies to the European Union, which exceeded the 20 percent tariff he announced last April.
The tariff announcements were not limited to Mexico and the European Union alone. Last week, Trump sent letters to more than 20 countries informing them of the new tariffs.