Brussels, 13 July (LaPresse) – EU member states view Trump's letter on tariffs sent to Brussels as part of erratic and unpredictable negotiating tactics aimed at increasing pressure on trading partners. This was reported by an EU diplomatic source on the sidelines of today's meeting of Coreper, the Committee of Permanent Representatives. The source explained that the EU is expected to use the window of opportunity until 1 August to continue negotiations, which are already at an advanced stage, and that work will continue on this basis to reach the best possible agreement in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the €21 billion rebalancing measures will remain suspended until early August, while the second package of rebalancing measures will be presented to Member States tomorrow. There will be no immediate retaliation, the source emphasises, but both packages will be “loaded and ready” for implementation in early August if the negotiations do not lead to an acceptable outcome. Finally, an acceleration in the push for trade diversification is expected (see today's agreement with Indonesia), as well as increased coordination with other trading partners in response to Trump's moves.
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