Lutnick Dismisses EU Leverage Amid Ongoing Tariff Talks

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick downplayed concerns over legal uncertainty surrounding tariffs, stating that negotiations with the European Union remain on track. In an interview on Fox News Sunday, Lutnick dismissed an EU official’s claim—reported by Reuters—that recent legal rulings gave the bloc extra leverage. “You can’t listen to silly people making silly comments,” he said. “All the countries negotiating with us understand President Trump’s power and commitment to protect American workers.”

The controversy stems from a recent U.S. trade court decision that blocked most of President Trump’s sweeping tariffs, ruling that he had overstepped his authority. However, a federal appeals court quickly paused that ruling, allowing the tariffs to remain in effect during the Trump administration’s appeal.

Despite the legal back-and-forth, Lutnick emphasized that the talks only experienced a brief pause. “Maybe we lost a week, but then everybody came right back to the table,” he noted.

President Trump had threatened 50% tariffs on all European imports by June 1, but later postponed the deadline to July 9 to allow room for further negotiations. On Friday, Trump also announced an increase in steel and aluminum tariffs from 25% to 50%, prompting the European Commission to warn of possible countermeasures.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, speaking on ABC’s This Week, defended the move as vital for national security. “We have to show strength,” Hassett said, citing the need to preserve America’s steel industry in the face of aggressive production from China.

As U.S.-EU trade tensions mount, both sides continue navigating a complex mix of legal rulings, economic interests, and geopolitical pressure. The outcome could significantly reshape transatlantic trade relations heading into the summer.