According to ChainCatcher, Dan Malani, the former U.S. Assistant Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, believes that Trump's letter to the EU was aimed at pushing the EU to reach a better agreement. Trump had previously threatened to impose a 50% tariff on the EU in May, which seemed to accelerate the negotiation process.
However, Malani said that the letter might encourage those within the EU who want to retaliate and believe that the United States is not serious about reaching an agreement. He said: "These people will feel that their perspective is reasonable."
