Trump announces duties on goods from the European Union

– We made a decision, we will announce it soon and it will be, in general, 25 percent, and this will apply to cars and all things – said Trump, asked during the meeting of the office about whether he will put duties on goods from the EU.

– European Union This is another case. They use us in a different way (…) they do not accept our cars, they do not properly accept our agricultural products, for many different reasons. And we accept everything and we have a (commercial) deficit for 300 billion with the European Union – he argued. – Let's be honest, the European Union has been created to roller United States. This is her goal and they did a good job. But now I am the president – he added.

Trump announced the duties less than a week after the visit of the EU Commissioner for Trade in Marosz Błyczovicz in the White House. After talks with the advisers of the president, the bosses expressed hope to avoid the trade war of the USA and the EU and proposed a mutual reduction in cars. He also claimed that the Union could quickly and easily reduce its surplus in trade (according to the EU it is not $ 300 billion, but 50 billion after taking into account services) with the purchase of an American LNG.

According to the European Commission, the average customs duties on US products are 0.9 percent, while American duties on EU products – 1.4 percent. In the case of passenger cars, the EU duties are higher (10 % compared to 2.5 percent in the case of US duties), but Washington applies higher rates in relation to trucks and pick-ups.

The bosses announced “a firm and proportional” response from the EU. According to Trump, the Union “may try” retaliation, but it will not be severe for American economy.

During the Wednesday meeting, Trump also announced that he intends to impose a suspended 25 % duties on goods imported from April 2 Canada and Mexico. The implementation of tariffs – whose official reason was to stop the smuggling of fentanyl – at the beginning of February it was suspended for 30 days to give time to countries for talks. The statements of the US President show that US neighbors will gain an additional month.

Trump pointed out that despite good cooperation with both countries and a significant decrease in drug smuggling, he does not intend to give up duties. – Although they (Canada and Mexico – ed.) Were good (…) the damage was already caused – said the president.

His statement caused confusion, because until recently the White House officials announced that the duties would become effective on March 4.

On April 2, it is also to be the date of entry into force of customs directed against countries that calculate higher customs rates in trade with the USA than Washington. Trump previously announced that in the case of the EU it would also be recognized VAT.