Trump, EU chief to discuss trade deal

HOPES HIGH FOR MEETING TODAY IN SCOTLAND

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EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump said Friday they would meet in Scotland this weekend in a decisive push to resolve a months-long transatlantic trade standoff.

In a drive to slash his country's trade deficits, Mr Trump has vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariff hikes if they do not hammer out a pact with Washington by Aug 1.

The EU, which is facing an across-the-board levy of 30%, has been pushing hard for a deal with Trump's administration, while also planning retaliation should talks fall short.

Ms von der Leyen first announced the meeting, writing on X: “Following a good call with POTUS, we have agreed to meet in Scotland on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong.”

Arriving on UK soil late Friday, Mr Trump confirmed he would meet the head of the European Commission, which has been negotiating with Washington on behalf of the 27-nation bloc.