The European Union has "offered zero-for-zero tariffs" to the United States following the imposition of trade levies by Donald Trump last week.
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said that Brussels "is ready to negotiate with the US" and made the zero-for-zero offer to Washington on industrial goods.
"But we’re also prepared to respond with countermeasures. And protect ourselves against indirect effects through trade diversion," von der Leyen said in speech in the Belgian capital. Trade diversion means the EU and other countries hit by US tariffs may decide to shift their trade towards each other.
In a speech made following a meeting with the president of Norway, von der Leyen said the pair had discussed the effects of US tariffs.
"These tariffs come first and foremost at immense costs for US consumers and businesses. But at the same time, they have a massive impact on the global economy," she said, noting that developing countries are being hit especially hard.
"This is a major turning point for the United States."
But she said the EU has offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods, "as we have successfully done with many other trading partners. Because Europe is always ready for a good deal. So we keep it on the table."
Von der Leyen said her meetings that day included with representatives of the steel and aluminium industry and the automotive industry, which were all hit with early tariff measures by the US of 25%.
"We are discussing the response to the US but also the other two pillars of our strategy: the one is strengthening our single market, so getting rid of remaining barriers. The other pillar is diversifying our trade relations."
Separately on Monday, UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer and Canadian counterpart Mark Carney spoke to discuss closer trade ties.
Carney’s office said the new Canadian PM talked with Starmer about the "unjustified trade actions" of the US and the need to strengthen trade ties between Canada and the UK.
Carney later said in a social media post that “partnerships with long-standing, reliable allies matter more than ever” right now.
Downing Street confirmed the talks had included discussing the CPTPP trade deal, which the UK joined in 2023, becoming 12th member, with other parties including Canada, Australia, Mexico and Japan.
A Number 10 spokesperson also said the US tariffs have underlined "the importance of trading relationships around the world, and we think we can get a much better trading relationship with the EU, which is obviously our largest trading partner".