President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Sunday the U.S. and the EU had reached a deal that would impose a 15% tariff on most goods.
Under the deal, the EU will purchase $750 billion worth of energy from the U.S. and invest $600 billion more than it’s already is.
Meanwhile, Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., plans to oust all 16 members of a task force that recommends which preventive health services, such as cancer screenings, must be covered by insurance.
Trump and EU announce deal with 15% tariffs on most goods
After meeting for less than an hour, Trump announced a trade deal with the European Union alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Here is an outline of the deal:15% tariffs on most goods, including automobiles.The EU will purchase from the U.S. $750 billion worth of energy.The EU agrees to invest into the U.S. $600 billion more than it’s investing already.All EU countries will be open to trade with the U.S. at zero tariffs.The EU agrees to purchase a vast amount of military equipment.As for the current 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum, Trump told reporters it would remain the same, saying it’s a “worldwide thing.”
Trump says US not getting enough credit for aid to Gaza
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues, Trump was asked if Israel should be doing more to allow food into Gaza, but Trump shifted the focus to how much money the U.S. has provided for Gaza and how it has not been acknowledged by others.
“Well you know we gave $60 million two weeks ago and nobody even acknowledged it for food and it’s terrible. You know, you really at least want to have somebody say thank you,” Trump said. “Nobody talks about it. And it makes you feel a little bad when you do that. And you know, you have other countries not giving anything.”
Trump spent a considerable amount of time discussing how the US was not thanked for what they’ve provided to Gaza.
“None of the European countries, by the way, gave. I mean, nobody gave but us. And nobody said, ‘Gee, thank you very much.’ And it would be nice to have at least a thank you. And I took a lot of heat,” Trump said.
Later, Trump said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “doing a very good job.” When asked if he’s talked to Netanyahu about the malnutrition in Gaza, Trump pivoted to criticizing Iran.
“I talked to him, yeah, I did. I talked to him about a lot of things. I talked to him about Iran. I think Iran’s been very nasty with their words, with their mouth.”
Trump said that the US will provide more aid to Gaza, adding that he wants more countries to participate.
“Will I do more aid? Yeah, the U.S. is going to do more aid for Gaza, but we’d like to have other countries participate,” Trump said. “We’re going to mention that to the European Union today. You know, that’s an international problem. It’s not a U.S. problem. It’s an international problem. And we’re giving a lot of money and a lot of food and a lot of everything. If we weren’t there, I think people would have starved. Frankly, they would have starved, and it’s not like they’re eating well, but a lot of that food is getting stolen by stolen by Hamas.”
Trump takes stern tone ahead of meeting with von der Leyen
Trump struck a stern tone in front of the cameras, even at one point saying “I’m actually not in a good mood,” before his meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen as the two leaders work to secure a trade deal before Trump’s Aug. 1 deadline.
“Ursula has been, really done a terrific job for them, not for us, but she’s done a great job, and she’s highly respected by us also, and we look forward to talking to see if we can do something,” Trump said as von der Leyen sat next to him.
“I think Ursula would say, probably 50/50, of making a deal. I’d like to make a deal. I think it’s good for both, but that’s a 50/50,” he said when asked what the chances are he gets a deal done on Sunday.
However, if the European leaders were looking for a better deal, it doesn’t appear that will happen as Trump said he wouldn’t have a lower tariff rate than 15% for the EU.
Trump said he remains committed to his Aug. 1 deadline, when he could impose a 30% tariff on the EU, rebuffing any consequences that may come from the European side.
“I think I look forward to this meeting. You know, we’ve had a hard time with trade with Europe, very hard time, and I’d like to see it resolved. But if it isn’t, we’ll, you know, have tariffs. They’ll do what they have to do, but we have a good chance of getting it resolved,” Trump said.
“We have three or four second points I’d rather not get in, we’ll be discussing them, but I think the main sticking point is fairness,” he added.
Von Der Leyen called Trump a “tough negotiator” before Trump jumped in and called himself “fair,” before she added “And fair.”
Trump says Cambodia, Thailand agree to immediate ceasefire talks
Trump announced on social media Saturday that he had a productive follow-up call with the Cambodian prime minister and that both Cambodia and Thailand are seeking an immediate ceasefire amid clashes along a disputed border area.
“They are also looking to get back to the ‘Trading Table’ with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS,” Trump added.
Trump expressed that both nations have agreed to meet promptly to negotiate peace, writing: “They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!”
Both countries had accused the other of firing the first shots as tensions boiled over on Thursday and reports of casualties begin to emerge.
