ISTANBUL 

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys on Monday urged avoiding an escalation with the US amid tariff talks, public broadcaster LRT news reported.

"We have to avoid escalation in our relations with the United States because we have so many things in front of us that we have to solve together," Budrys told reporters.

Stressing that tariffs are "not good for anyone," he called for a "constructive way forward."

"We have to look for a good solution in our trade relations because the European Union has always stood for fair trade, trade that is based on and respects international regulations," Budrys noted.

He further described US President Donald Trump's letters as a “call to continue negotiations,” reiterating the need to intensify talks to reach a “good agreement."

On Saturday, Trump announced that the US will impose 30% tariffs on the EU and Mexico starting Aug. 1, putting the US-EU trade talks at risk, as the bloc had aimed to finalize a comprehensive trade deal this month.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared separate letters addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, announcing a 30% tariff on goods bound for the US from Europe and Mexico.

Von der Leyen then voiced readiness to work toward an agreement with the US by Aug. 1 and vowed to take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures.