USA. PE talks about customs and military presence of Americans in Europe – including Poland. Michał Szczerba about the details

Representatives of the European Parliament conduct talks in Washington about customs and the presence of American troops in Europe. A member of the delegation Michał Szczerba (KO) passed in an interview with the correspondent of “Facts” by TVN Marcin Wrona that at meetings “he gives an example of how Trump's customs can affect Polish GDP” and talks about the importance of US soldiers for Europe and Poland.

The delegation of the European Parliament went to Washington for talks with representatives of the Congress to discuss transatlantic relations with its American counterparts. The visit began on Wednesday and will last until Friday. One of the members of the delegation is the permanent rapporteur of the Foreign Committee on the European Parliament for USA MEP Michał Szczerba (KO).

Marcin Wrona's “Facts” correspondent of TVN talked to Szczerba in the American capital. The journalist asked, among other things Donald Trump.

– I recall the words of Ronald Reagan that if you have your allies, you do not fight customs wars with them, because they affect your economy, also your purchasing potential. I give an example of how these tariffs and duties of Trump can affect Polish GDP – transferred the MEP of the Civic Coalition,

Recalled the conclusions of the initial assessment of experts, which says that the new American duties can reduce Polish GDP by 0.4 percent, which would mean that ours will exceed PLN 10 billion. To illustrate the scale, he used a comparison. “This is another twenty several F -35 combat aircraft that we could buy if we didn't have to pay Trump,” he said. He also assessed that “these are examples that are very specific” and “it convinces.”

Szczerba reported that he talked about the duties with the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, Congressman Brian Mast from the Republican Party, “who is in a very close relationship with President Trump.”

“Poland has a very strong card in the United States”

He indicated that among the topics of the Washington talks there was a decision about relocation of American troops from the base in Jasionka.

– We show that also for us, in our part of Europe, in Poland, especially, unwavering and (maintained – editor -in -law) at the same level the presence of American troops – said MEP. – We respect those relocations that are happening, among others, in Jasionka. It's now GermanyThe Norwegians will take over the responsibility of the Americans. But this number of 10,000 (soldiers) of American troops is a guarantee of security for us – he added.

Wrona asked if we could be sure that American soldiers would become UW Poland, taking into account the statements of Donald Trump from Wednesday. The president was asked in the oval office if he had plans to reduce US troops in Europe and replied that “he could do it”, but adding that “it depends”. – We pay for the army in Europe, we do not receive too much reimbursement of costs, as from South Korea. So it would be one of the things to discuss, unrelated to trade, but I think we will make it part of these conversations, because it makes sense, it would be nice to pack it all in one package for each country – said Trump.

According to SZCZYRBA MEP, “Poland has a very strong card in the United States.” – Also because we have a negative balance in these trade relations. We buy much more than Americans buy from us. Especially military equipment – he pointed out.

– These are Himars systems, Patriot systems, these are Abrams tanks, these are F-35, which will come to Poland in a moment. It will be a gigantic strengthening of our army. We buy LNG gas, we buy American technologies for the Polish power plant, which we are working on. So we are in a privileged situation – he calculated.

He expressed the hope that “these various reductions, if they take place, would not apply to Poland.” – I have the impression that Poland is given here as an example of this ally, which is worth investing – he added.

Asked whether he hears the congressmen from assuring that the troops would remain in Poland, he said that “everyone repeats one in Congress – NATO is important, Poland is important, Eastern flank is important”. – they say: we focus on China, but of course we do not forget that it remains a strategic threat Russia he added.