The European Union’s top trade official, Maroš Šefčovič, is scheduled to hold high-level meetings in Washington this week as the EU seeks to finalise a trade agreement with the United States before a 9 July deadline set by President Donald Trump. The discussions come amid renewed transatlantic tensions over tariffs and digital regulation.
Šefčovič, the European Commissioner for Trade, confirmed on Monday that he would travel to Washington following engagements in Turkey. In Washington, he will meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Wednesday and Thursday. His stated objective is to secure a trade arrangement that provides “predictability to businesses” and is “fair for both sides”.
“The ninth of July is round the corner,” Šefčovič told reporters in Brussels. “For me, it’s always a good sign when we move from the exchange of views into the drafting process.”
He confirmed that the EU had received initial draft proposals from the U.S. side and was now entering the detailed negotiation phase.
At stake is a potential escalation of U.S. import tariffs on a range of European goods, including steel, aluminium, automotive components, and pharmaceutical products. President Trump has repeatedly signalled his willingness to impose broader tariffs unless favourable terms are reached.
Despite growing pressure from Washington, the European Commission has ruled out any changes to its recently enacted technology regulations. These include the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which seeks to curb anti-competitive practices by large online platforms, and the Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes content moderation obligations on very large online platforms and search engines.
“The DMA and the DSA are not on the table in the trade negotiations with the U.S.,” Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said during a press briefing on Monday. “Our legislation will not be changed. We are not going to adjust the implementation of our legislation based on the actions of third countries.”
The firm position comes amid heightened concern in Brussels following President Trump’s decision earlier this month to suspend trade talks with Canada in response to its digital services tax, which he accused of “copying the European Union”. Canada subsequently withdrew the tax, prompting speculation that the U.S. may seek similar concessions from the EU.
Regnier dismissed such concerns, stating that the EU would not accept foreign interference in its legislative framework. “If we started to do that, then we would have to do it with numerous third countries,” he said.
The Biden-era DMA and DSA, which entered into force in 2024, are designed to limit the market dominance of major technology firms such as Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, Meta (Facebook), Microsoft, Booking.com, and China’s ByteDance. The rules introduce strict operational requirements and impose fines for non-compliance, which can amount to up to 10% of global annual turnover.
So far, enforcement has already resulted in fines against Apple and Meta, with further proceedings anticipated in the coming months if companies are found to be in breach of compliance requirements.
The Commission’s insistence on ring-fencing its regulatory autonomy comes as it simultaneously attempts to de-escalate the tariff threat from Washington. EU officials are hoping to craft a compromise that preserves the Union’s legislative sovereignty while avoiding punitive trade measures.
Talks this week are expected to focus on sector-specific exemptions, dispute resolution mechanisms, and commitments to mutual market access. The EU is particularly concerned about the stability of transatlantic supply chains in strategic sectors, including semiconductors, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.
Brussels has also signalled a willingness to discuss industrial subsidies and investment screening frameworks but maintains that any agreement must be grounded in WTO principles and not linked to domestic legislative agendas on either side.
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