(Brussels) The European Union still hopes to obtain an agreement with the United States after the new threats of Donald Trump to impose 1is August 30 %of customs duties, but the patience is falling, said on Monday the EU chief negotiator and European trade ministers.
“I intend to speak again with my American counterparts during the day, because I cannot imagine myself to stop there without real effort,” said the European commissioner in charge of trade Maros Sefcovic.
But, he added, “we must prepare for all the eventualities, including, if necessary, for proportionate and well calibrated countermeasures to restore the balance of our transatlantic relationship”.
The decision of the American president, announced in a letter made public on Saturday, threw a cold while the commercial negotiations were still underway between Brussels and Washington, before the deadline of 1is august.
“Change method”
“The current uncertainty caused by unjustified customs duties cannot last indefinitely,” said Sefcovic.
“Obviously, the situation since Saturday should lead us to change our method,” added the French Minister in charge of foreign trade in Brussels on Monday, before a meeting of the EU ministers. And you must not have “no taboo”, he hammered, including announcing first reprisals on Monday.
“We want an agreement, but there is an old saying that says:” If you want peace, you have to prepare for the war, “said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, whose country is currently providing the rotating presidency of the EU.
The president of the European Commission-which is negotiating on behalf of the EU member states-Ursula von der Leyen, has chosen for the moment to delay, under pressure in particular from countries, like Germany, whose sales to the United States represent the most important part of the total EU exports.
She announced on Sunday that the European Union was not going to retaliate for the moment to the American customs duties on steel and aluminum, in the hope of obtaining an agreement which would prove to be less painful.
“We have always been very clear about the fact that we prefer a negotiated solution. This remains the case and we will use the time we now have up to 1is August, ”said Mr.me From the Leyen.
Diplomats nevertheless pointed out that an additional package of additional reprisals would be presented to ministers on Monday, measures which could be implemented if Donald Trump actually opted for 30 % taxes on imports from the European Union.
100 billion euros
The EU has already threatened in May to impose customs duties on American products worth around 100 billion euros (160 billion Canadian dollars) including cars and planes, if negotiations failed – even if a diplomat has hinted that the final list had been reduced to a value of 72 billion (115 billion Canadian dollars).
European countries are trying to remain united in this case, although their savings are not exposed in the same way to the customs wrath of the American president.
Emmanuel Macron urged the European Commission on Saturday to “resolutely defend European interests” and to “accelerate the preparation of credible countermeasures”.
The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he agreed on Sunday to the French president, adding that he had discussed with him, with Mme Von der Leyen and Donald Trump in recent days. He claims to want to get involved “intensively” to try to arrive at a solution.
The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned Sunday against the prospect of a “trade war” within the Western world.
“Europe has the economic and financial power necessary to assert its position and achieve a fair and common sense agreement. Italy will do its part. As always, “she said in a statement, while her opposition accuses her of lacking firmness against Washington.
Since his return to the Presidency of the United States in January, Donald Trump has imposed fluctuating and generalized customs duties on his allies and competitors, disturbing the financial markets and fueling the fears of a global economic slowdown.
