After Trump’s tariffs and the international reactions, as well as the “storm” on stock markets from Asia to New York itself, it seems that the great US bargain with those directly affected, such as the EU, is beginning.

In her statements today after a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the EU is preparing to defend its interests with proportionate countermeasures against Trump’s tariffs and will cooperate with its partners in this direction.

The head of the Commission expressed her deep concern about the tariffs and the economic damage they cause to all countries – including the poorest of them.

Recognizing that the tariffs represent a significant turning point for the United States, she reiterated the EU’s commitment to engage in negotiations with the US, while making clear that the Union stands ready to defend its interests if necessary.

At the same time, she expressed her determination to work with partners to respond to this new reality for the global economy, recognizing that each trading partner will act according to its own priorities.

Von der Leyen and Starmer discussed preparations for the upcoming EU-UK Summit on 19 May, which will be an important opportunity to strengthen the cooperation of the “27” with the United Kingdom in key areas such as security, defense, trade and the economy.

More than 50 countries have contacted the White House about starting trade negotiations

In a related development, more than 50 countries have contacted the White House about starting trade negotiations, Kevin Hassett, director of the US National Economic Council, told ABC News today.

Hassett also denied that President Trump’s tariffs are an indirect way of pressuring the US Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.

In another interview with NBC News, US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant downplayed the fall in stock prices on the stock markets since Trump’s announcement of the imposition of tariffs, stressing that “there is no reason” to cause economic recession conditions from the imposition of tariffs.