06:58 AM EDT, 07/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- A rising number of European Union member countries, led by France, are urging the bloc to activate its so-called anti-coercion tool against the US if the parties are unable to strike an acceptable trade deal by Aug. 1 and US President Donald Trump proceeds with his recently proposed 30% tariffs on EU goods, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

More than six EU members support the anti-coercion instrument, the unnamed sources told the news outlet. Several countries are more cautious, while others' stance on the matter is not known yet, according to the report.

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath expects a deal to be reached by Aug. 1, Bloomberg reported.

"These are challenging complex negotiations," McGrath reportedly said. "We remain focused as an EU on the substantive discussions."

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