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According to ChainCatcher, sources familiar with the matter revealed that Trump has raised his demands in trade negotiations with the European Union, seeking to maintain tariffs on EU goods at a minimum level of 15% to 20% in any agreement reached. In previous weeks, both sides had planned to keep tariffs on most goods at a basic level of 10%. However, Trump’s tougher stance this time is intended to test the EU’s bottom line for tolerating tariff pressure. Sources said that Trump was unmoved by the EU’s latest proposal to lower auto tariffs and indicated he was willing to keep auto tariffs at 25% as originally planned. A U.S. official disclosed that even if an agreement is reached, the U.S. government is considering setting reciprocal tariffs at above 10%. A senior EU diplomat stated that if Trump insists on setting reciprocal tariffs at 15% to 20%, it would return to the level at the start of trade talks in April this year and could force the EU to take retaliatory measures.

According to ChainCatcher, German Chancellor Merz stated in Berlin that the German economy has reversed its recession and is now on the path to recovery. He also mentioned that tariff negotiations between the European Union and the United States have entered their final stage, with both sides still discussing whether to implement differentiated policies for specific industries. He expressed support for the European Commission's efforts to reach an agreement, saying, "The lower the tariffs, the better it is for both sides; ultimately, tariffs hurt everyone." He also noted that the United States' tax and spending policies have put significant pressure on its own budget, which could result in a severe fiscal deficit.