A senior European Union official warned the United States on Tuesday that the world’s largest commercial block contains many cards “when it comes to treating the new Trump administration prices and has a good plan to retaliate if necessary.
President Donald Trump promised to deploy import taxes from other countries on Wednesday. He says that they will release the United States from dependence on foreign goods.
He swore to impose “reciprocal” prices to correspond to the tasks that other countries charge on American products, surving on April 2 “Liberation Day”.
“Europe has not started this confrontation. We do not necessarily want to retaliate, but if necessary, we have a solid plan to retaliate and we will use it,” said the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to the EU legislators.
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The Commission, the EU executive power, is negotiating trade agreements on behalf of the 27 Bloc member countries and manages disputes on their behalf.
“Europe contains many cards, from trade to technology to the size of our market. But this force is also built on our desire to take firm countermeasures if necessary. All the instruments are on the table,” said Von der Leyen, during a session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, in France.
The Commission already intends to impose rights on American goods worth $ 28 billion in mid-April in response to Trump and Aluminum Trump prices. EU tasks will target steel and aluminum products, but also textiles, household appliances and agricultural products.
Much remains unknown on how Trump’s samples will really be implemented, in particular “reciprocal” prices, and the EU wants to assess its impact before taking reprisals.
“So many Europeans feel completely discouraged by the announcement of the United States,” said Von Der Leyen. “This is the most important and prosperous commercial relationship in the world. We would all be better if we could find a constructive solution. ”
& Copy 2025 the Canadian press
