European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has indeed reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to securing a trade deal with the US before the July 9, 2025, deadline, as noted in a social media post following a call with US President Donald Trump. She described the exchange as a “good call ahead of the G7 Summit,” where they also discussed issues like Ukraine and the Middle East. This aligns with the EU’s broader strategy to avoid a trade war sparked by Trump’s tariff threats, including a potential 50% tariff on EU goods, which he delayed from June 1 to July 9 after von der Leyen’s request for more negotiation time. The EU faces challenges in these talks, with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggesting the EU’s internal divisions may slow progress, potentially making it one of the last partners to finalize a deal.
In the context of Middle East tensions, particularly between Israel and Iran, the EU’s trade negotiations with the US could influence regional dynamics indirectly. Russia’s balancing act in the Middle East—maintaining ties with both Israel and Iran—parallels the EU’s need to navigate complex relationships with the US while addressing global trade disruptions. Von der Leyen’s outreach to China to manage trade diversions caused by US tariffs shows the EU’s proactive stance in stabilizing global markets, which could intersect with Middle Eastern economic interests, given the region’s role in energy and trade routes. However, the EU’s focus remains on securing a “zero-for-zero” tariff deal on industrial goods with the US to mitigate the impact of existing 20% tariffs on EU exports and 25% on steel, aluminum, and vehicles.