EU ready for trade deal with US but ‘all options on the table’, says von der Leyen

European Commission president says EU will defend the European interest as needed' as Trump threatens 50% steel tariffs

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has said the EU is ready for a trade deal with Donald Trump, but all options remain on the table".

Von der Leyen said she was analysing the latest US negotiating document received on Thursday. Our message today is clear, we are ready for a deal," she told reporters, after briefing EU leaders at a summit in Brussels. At the same time, we are preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached ... and we will defend the European interest as needed. In short, all options remain on the table."