The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said Thursday that the European Union must accelerate the conclusion of trade agreements with new partners, notably India, to reduce its dependence on the United States amid rising US customs tariffs.
"We want to conclude an agreement with India this year," the European leader said at a conference with German business leaders. She added that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had confirmed his commitment to this during a telephone call the day before.
Von der Leyen added that the EU was also holding talks with other strategic partners, including South Africa, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates. The aim is to diversify the bloc's trade ties and limit its exposure to protectionist pressure from Washington.
These statements come amid transatlantic trade tensions. The US administration has raised tariffs on certain European products, prompting Brussels to seek new markets. For the Commission, these future agreements could not only strengthen European competitiveness but also consolidate its role on the global economic stage.
