EU trade ministers to discuss EU-US trade relations and economic security

Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in its trade configuration in Brussels on 15 May 2025. The Council will exchange views on the EU’s trade relations with the United States and economic security. The ministers will also discuss the EU’s ongoing trade negotiations.

The EU trade ministers will discuss trade relations between the EU and the United States. The discussion will focus on the impact of US tariffs on international trade and production chains, the EU’s efforts to reach an agreement and its negotiating position with the United States.

European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič has recently met his counterparts in the United States and will brief the ministers about the meetings.

“In Finland’s view, it is important that the negotiations aim for mutual benefits and stronger transatlantic trade relations. At the same time, we are preparing to protect our own market if necessary,” Minister Ville Tavio says.

The trade ministers will discuss European economic security at a time when trade relations between the great powers are increasingly strained and the EU is implementing its economic security strategy, which was announced in 2023. 

“A key to promoting European economic security is to enhance cooperation with the EU’s partners. We need free trade agreements and supply chain cooperation with like-minded countries,” Minister Tavio says.

The Council will also discuss the ongoing EU trade agreement negotiations. Finland is in favour of swiftly concluding the negotiations and implementing the agreements.