COINOTAG News reports that ahead of the critical negotiation deadline, a senior EU official emphasized the necessity of presenting a credible threat of retaliation in the ongoing trade dispute initiated by former U.S. President Trump. According to two EU insiders, the Chief of Staff to the European Commission President recently informed EU ambassadors that a firm response could incentivize the U.S. to reconsider its elevated tariffs on European imports. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also indicated her government’s readiness to adopt a more assertive approach, stating, “If no agreement is reached, we are prepared to explore all available options to protect our interests.”

The Chief of Staff further revealed that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is willing to intensify negotiations to achieve a more favorable outcome. EU representatives were urged to back a tariff package targeting $95 billion in U.S. goods, alongside potential measures affecting the service sector. These include imposing taxes on American tech giants and limiting U.S. companies’ access to public procurement, underscoring the EU’s strategic leverage in this trade conflict.