According to Reuters, the EU has restructured its trade negotiation team with the United States and dispatched close aides of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to engage with the Trump administration, aiming to effectively address political issues arising from technical matters. This personnel adjustment comes in response to President Trump’s dissatisfaction with the slow progress of negotiations.

Trump previously threatened to impose a 50% tariff on most European goods but later eased his stance. Sources indicate that this move is intended to give the EU negotiation team stronger political decision-making power to handle challenges during discussions with the U.S. government. Trump has repeatedly claimed that “the EU was established to take advantage of the U.S.”, heightening the sensitivity of bilateral negotiations.

The newly expanded EU negotiation team, in addition to von der Leyen's aides, includes senior staff from Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic's office. This team has traveled to Washington this week as a direct result of a phone call between Trump and von der Leyen, where both sides agreed to expedite negotiation progress. Sources noted that after that call, Trump agreed to give the EU more time, striving to reach an agreement before July 9 to avoid a significant increase in “reciprocal tariffs” from the current 10% to 50%.

Currently, the Trump administration has imposed a 50% tariff on European steel and aluminum, and higher rates on automobile imports. The EU seeks a comprehensive agreement to lower the current 10% benchmark rate, to avoid a situation similar to the limited agreement reached between the U.K. and the Trump administration.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer described Wednesday’s talks with Sefcovic in Paris as “constructive,” expressing optimism about the swift advancement of negotiations, emphasizing the EU’s willingness to work with the U.S. to find concrete solutions. Sefcovic agreed, stating that both sides believe the negotiations are moving “quickly in the right direction” and have agreed on how to “restructure” the focus of discussions.

Reportedly, the U.S. is currently focusing on four key issues in the negotiations: tariffs, non-tariff barriers, procurement, and economic security. Sources add that, in addition to increasing political personnel, the EU has also supplemented the negotiation team with technical experts to address the complexities of negotiations with the U.S.

Analysts believe this move highlights the need for the EU to accelerate negotiations under ongoing pressure from the Trump administration, to avoid the risk of retaliatory tariffs. Trade relations between the U.S. and the EU are facing a critical test and the outcome of these bilateral negotiations will profoundly impact the global economic landscape.