Donald Trump threatens to increase customs duties to 35% on European products

Asked about the Squawk show of the American television channel CNBC, Donald Trump threatened to apply American customs duties of 35% on European exports if Brussels did not honor his commitment to invest 600 billion euros in the United States.

This commitment was made by the president of the commission, Ursula von der Leyen during a meeting with the American president in Scotland, during which American customs duties on products from the EU had been set at 15%.

Donald Trump says that the promise of investment made by the EU is one of the reasons why he has decided to bring customs duties to this rate.

600 billion euros, an indicative figure for Brussels

The European Commission is unable to design and implement investments on behalf of the private sector. The $ 600 billion has been described by Brussels as an indication based on executive contacts with the industry.

“It is not something that the EU, as a public authority, can guarantee – it is something that is based on the intention of private companies“Explained a senior official.

The European Commission suspended on Tuesday a set of commercial countermeasures aimed at 93 billion euros in American products, which were to enter into force on August 7, while continuing to negotiate the agreement concluded in Scotland.