America News Agency

With tensions rising ahead of the first meeting of US President Donald Trump’s new trade team, the European Union warned that it is ready to use its most powerful economic weapon.

Maros Sefcovic, who visited Washington to prevent a transatlantic trade war, said he hopes to offer Trump a deal that would prevent the implementation of the threatened tariffs.

“I know President Trump is a big dealmaker, and he has always had the idea of an impressive big negotiation package. So, let’s discuss all of this,” Sefcovic said on Wednesday, describing himself as “a true believer in transatlantic relations.”

If no agreement is reached, the EU’s commissioner for trade and economic security made it clear that the bloc has many punitive tools at its disposal.

Sefcovic said, “Our openness does not mean we won’t protect our interests and the European market when necessary.”

“For example, we have an anti-coercion instrument to protect the EU from economic pressures from third countries,” he added. “The range of countermeasures includes import and export restrictions, limitations on access to the EU market, and more, all of which can be implemented quickly.”

The European Commission also called for changes to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to include countries with non-market economies. According to Politico, this likely referred to China. On Wednesday evening, Sefcovic was set to meet with top US officials, including US Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick.