UK Media: US Issues Last-Minute Demands, Threatens 17% Tariff on European Agricultural Products

According to a report by Jinse Finance, citing the Financial Times, three sources revealed that the United States has threatened to impose a 17% tariff on EU agricultural exports, sharply escalating its trade conflict with the European Union. This last-minute demand was made by the US ahead of the July 9 deadline for reaching a trade agreement. The US stated that if no agreement is reached, it will impose a 20% tariff on all EU goods. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič received this demand during a meeting in Washington on Thursday and relayed it to the ambassadors of the 27 member states on Friday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday that she hopes to reach a "principled agreement" that would allow both sides to continue negotiations before a final deal is concluded. However, Washington is pushing for a binding agreement from all countries before the deadline set by Trump.