As one of the European Union's top negotiators, Sabine Weyand has battled Britain over Brexit and driven tough trade talks around the world. But as Europe seeks a deal to avert further U.S. tariffs, the EU's most senior civil servant for trade acknowledges one fundamental obstacle: Donald Trump's endgame remains a mystery.

The European Union will take "a bit of time" before it responds to the new reciprocal tariff rates U.S. President Donald Trump plans to outline on April 2, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Wednesday.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday called for “pragmatism” to prevent an EU-US dispute over tariffs from escalating into a full-scale trade war, and expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts for a ceasefire in Ukraine.