The European Union wants to engage quickly with the United States on President Donald Trump's planned tariffs. This was stated by the Executive Vice-President of the EC Maroš Šefčovič, quoted by "Reuters".
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that the Union will defend its interests in the negotiations.
Ahead of a meeting of EU ministers to discuss trade and the bloc's competitiveness, Šefčovič indicated that she wants "early engagement" and awaits confirmation of Trump's Commerce Secretary pick, financier Howard Lutnick.
"We are ready to engage immediately and hope that through this early engagement we can avoid measures that would bring a lot of disruption to the most important trade and investment relationship on the planet," he noted.
Von der Leyen said the EC's first priority was to work in many areas where the EU and the US have close interests, such as critical supply chains and emerging technologies.
She indicated that the EU was ready for tough negotiations to resolve grievances and lay the foundations for a stronger partnership.
"We will be open and pragmatic about how to achieve this. But we will make it equally clear that we will always defend our own interests - no matter what and when necessary," von der Leyen said.
EU officials say contacts with the Trump administration have been limited so far, and point out that Trump's top appointees cannot speak to foreign counterparts until their positions are confirmed. Von der Leyen and Trump have not been in contact since the US leader took office.
When attacked, unfairly or arbitrarily, the European Union will respond firmly.
The EU meeting in Warsaw began just hours after the US imposed additional 10% tariffs on Chinese goods, prompting China to retaliate. Canada and Mexico were also threatened with 25% tariffs by the US, but were given a 30-day reprieve.
Trump said the European Union was next in line. He has repeatedly complained about the US trade deficit with the 27 EU countries.
Šefčovič said the deficit, including trade in services, was around 50 billion euros, or about 3% of the total annual EU-US trade of 1.5 trillion euros, and 4 million jobs on both sides of the Atlantic relied on this open trade relationship.
"We believe that through constructive engagement and discussion we can solve this problem," Šefčovič said.
He did not specify how the bloc might negotiate, but some ministers offered advice on the EU's approach.
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel, who was prime minister during Trump's first term, said the EU should be united and strong and not enter negotiations with concessions.
Irish Trade Minister Peter Burke also believes that it is not worth making offers at this stage.