According to a Reuters report, the EU has adjusted its trade negotiation team with the United States, sending a trusted aide of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to address political issues arising from technical matters. This personnel change comes in response to President Trump's dissatisfaction with the slow progress of EU negotiations, with the White House claiming a lack of efficiency. Trump had previously threatened to impose tariffs as high as 50% on a majority of European goods but later slightly backed down.

The objective of this move is to enhance the political decision-making power of the EU negotiation team to tackle challenges during talks with the US government. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the EU was established to disadvantage the US, adding sensitivity to the bilateral negotiations.

The newly expanded EU negotiation team, in addition to von der Leyen's aide, also includes senior staff from Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic's office. The team traveled to Washington this week as a direct outcome of a phone call between Trump and von der Leyen, with both sides agreeing to expedite the negotiation process. Trump has reportedly agreed to give the EU more time to reach an agreement before July 9, in order to avoid escalating tariffs from the current 10% to 50%.

Presently, the Trump administration has imposed a 50% tariff on European steel and aluminum and higher rates on auto imports. The EU aims to reach a comprehensive agreement to lower the existing 10% baseline rate, avoiding a situation like the limited agreement reached between the Trump administration and the UK. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer characterized his Wednesday meeting with Sefcovic in Paris as "constructive" and expressed optimism about the rapid advancement of negotiations, emphasizing the EU's willingness to collaborate with the US to find concrete solutions. Sefcovic also noted that both sides believe negotiations are "moving in the right direction quickly" and have agreed on how to "restructure" negotiation focuses, with high-level contacts underway.