EU to canvass leaders at summit on resolving US tariff conflict

STORY: European Union leaders are to be presented with a choice by the European Commission on Thursday.Get a quick trade deal with the US at the cost of Washington getting better terms.Or escalate the fight in the hope of something better.A quick deal seems to be the preferred option for most, officials and diplomats have said.As the EU can then seek to address the unfavourable bias with some rebalancing measures of its own.These could include a tax on digital advertising, which would hit U.S. giants like Google, Meta, Apple , X or MicrosoftThe Commission negotiates trade agreements on behalf of the EU.It will ask leaders of the 27 members meeting in Brussels how they want to respond to Trump's July 9 deadline for a deal.The bloc has said it is striving for a mutually beneficial agreement.Washington looks set to stick to its 10% across-the board tariffs on most EU goods and threatening higher rates with prolonged talks.EU diplomats say that's prompting a growing number of EU countries to favour a quick resolution.The bloc is already facing U.S. import tariffs of 50% on its steel and aluminium, 25% for cars and car parts, along with a 10% tariff on most other EU goods.The US's only completed trade deal to date is with Britain, with the broad 10% tariff still in place.Some 23 of the leaders will come to Brussels straight from the NATO summit in the Hague.