“We will wait, without excluding any option and always in conjunction with the European Union,” stated Paulo Rangel to journalists at a hotel in São Tomé.
Reacting on behalf of the government to the announcement of a 30% tariff on all European Union (EU) products made today by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs highlighted that “the European Commission is leading the negotiations.”
The minister pointed out that “it is crucial to understand that negotiations continue at least until August 1, which is the deadline, extended from July 9 to August 1,” during which “there is still no final framework.”
According to Paulo Rangel, the statement from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, “fully reflects the positions that the Portuguese government conveyed to European entities” on this matter.
“In other words, we consider it a negative position, yet negotiations are ongoing,” he noted, expressing the hope for “a positive outcome for both sides of the Atlantic.”
“As the President of the European Commission said, we will continue the negotiations, and no option is ruled out. That is, it is not excluded that, if we are facing an escalation like this one announced, there may need to be a reaction, let’s say, also to strengthen reciprocal customs rights, therefore, a reaction of reciprocity,” he added.
The minister stressed that a possible EU response “might not be exactly the same” and emphasized: “Our desire is to reach an agreement.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated today that Brussels remains willing to negotiate with the USA to reach an agreement before August 1, following Donald Trump’s announcement of 30% tariffs.
Lusa | 15:21 – 12/07/2025
