European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone conversation on Sunday to discuss key global developments, particularly in response to recently introduced U.S. tariffs.

According to an official readout posted on the European Commission’s website, von der Leyen voiced her “deep concern over the tariffs announced by [United States] President [Donald] Trump on April 2 and the harm they pose to all countries, both through their direct and indirect effects, including on the world's poorest nations.”

The European Union, von der Leyen stressed, remains open to dialogue and negotiation regarding the trade measures. However, she also made it clear that the EU is prepared to defend its economic interests “through proportionate countermeasures,” should talks fail to lead to a resolution.

The transatlantic trade tension stems from President Trump’s recent tariff announcement, which has triggered global unease due to its potential to disrupt international markets and supply chains. The EU’s measured response underscores its preference for diplomacy while signaling that retaliatory action is on the table if necessary.

In addition to trade, von der Leyen and Starmer discussed broader geopolitical concerns, particularly around security and defense. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration on these fronts, highlighting the importance of coordinated responses to shared challenges in a volatile international environment.

The conversation reflects a growing consensus among European leaders about the need for unity in responding to economic and security challenges posed by recent U.S. policies. While maintaining openness to negotiation, the EU's leadership has begun to emphasize readiness and resilience in the face of unilateral decisions that affect global partners.