Customs duties: the EU “has the tools” to “defend”

The European Union has “tools” to defend itself in the face of American customs duties, notably targeting the “services” that the United States exports to Europeans, defended Kaja Kallas on Sunday, the head of European diplomacy.

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“The EU has always sought a negotiated solution. In addition, But if necessary. she also has the tools to defend her interests. customs duties: eu “has tools” new “she said during an interview with La Tribune on Sunday, in the Ursula von Der Leyen Declaration the day before.

Just after Donald customs duties: eu “has tools” Trump’s announcement on Saturday on the taxation of customs duties of. 30% from August 1 for European Union. Mexico products imported into the United States. the president of the European Commission criticized this decision while declaring that the EU was ready to “continue the work to a trade” with Washington by August 1.

But she had also recalled that the EU was ready to take “all the measures necessary to safeguard (its) interests. including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if necessary”.

“In the service sector, Europe is in a position of strength,” said Ms. Kallas.

Donald Trump’s new overbidding. in the midst of a negotiation with Brussels. aroused strong reactions in Europe, where essential sectors of the economy could be struck, such customs duties: eu “has tools” new as cars, drugs, planes or wines.

The White House tenant notably justifies these measures by the EU trade surplus with the United States. which reached 50 billion euros customs duties: eu “has tools” in 2024, according to figures from the European Union.

But by taking into account only the services, the trend is reversed: the 27 have a 150 billion trade deficit. Tech weighs particularly heavy, through the remuneration of IT services and the use of American software.

For Kaja Kallas, the EU has a room for maneuver in this sector to reply to the American customs offensive.

“It remains to be seen whether we are ready to do something,” she said in the gallery on Sunday.

“We should also have a sort of economic article 5. ” she said. in reference to the NATO Treaty article which requires all members of the Alliance to defend a signatory country when customs duties: eu “has tools” new attacked.

“As we repeat, the trade war is a war without a winner,” she said.