At a press conference at midnight, von der Leyen talks about the latest developments in the negotiations with the USA. The European Commission, which negotiates on behalf of the EU countries, received the Americans' move on the same day as the EU leaders held a summit in Brussels.
Our message is clear – the EU is ready to enter into an agreement, she says.
But she is clear that it cannot happen at any price. The EU is therefore also preparing for the fact that it will not be possible to agree, and how to respond to the tariffs.
All possibilities are on the table, says von der Leyen.
Previously, President Donald Trump has announced that he is pausing the heavy tariffs he has threatened to impose on European goods until July 9.
The negotiations are therefore in an intense phase now to reach an agreement before the deadline expires.
Ursula von der Leyen revealed nothing about what the US negotiating bid contains.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing for the EU and the USA to reach a quick agreement. Rather one that does not cover everything, but focuses on the sectors he considers most important – such as the automotive industry, the chemical industry and the pharmaceutical sector.
We now have less than two weeks left until July 9, and then you cannot agree on a sophisticated trade agreement, he says at a press conference after the summit.
