The two sides have yet to yield a decisive breakthrough despite an earlier round of negotiations in Washington last week.

The EU says the U.S. is resisting efforts to strike a trade deal and warned of countermeasures if no agreement is reached with U.S. by Aug. 1.

Von der Leyen's decision to resist immediate retaliatory measures points to the European Commission's desire to avoid a spiralling tit-for-tat escalation.

European Union officials warned on Monday that countermeasures are still on the table if they cannot reach a trade deal with the United States to avoid the 30 percent tariffs that President Trump announced over the weekend would take effect on Aug.

EU trade ministers agreed Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of 30% tariffs on the European Union was “absolutely unacceptable," and they are studying a new set of countermeasures to respond to the move.

Explore the ongoing trade tensions over tariffs as the EU warns the U.S. to reach a deal or face countermeasures.

Italy's foreign minister warned that, while he hopes for successful negotiations, the EU will respond resolutely to Trump's latest tariff threat.

The ministers met in Brussels following President Trump’s announcement of such hefty tariffs, which could have repercussions for governments, companies, and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.