US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the EU's move to start negotiations was positive and he hoped Europe would "open up" to trade with the US, Reuters reported. However, he reiterated his threat to unilaterally impose trade tariffs if a deal is not reached, BTA reports.
"I have just been informed that the EU is calling for quick dates for meetings. This is a positive sign and I hope that they will FINALLY, like I asked China, open up European countries to trade with the US," Trump wrote on his social media platform "Truth Social".
"Remember, I am authorized to MAKE A DEAL on trade if we can't make a deal or are treated unfairly," he added.
Trump temporarily canceled his plans to impose a 50 percent tariff on imports from the EU, agreeing to extend the deadline for reaching a trade agreement with the EU to July 9. Against this backdrop, Wall Street opened higher today.
A meeting between US and EU trade representatives was scheduled for yesterday.