We do not want retaliation, but we have a plan regarding such activities, if necessary – declared the head of the European Commission on Tuesday in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. In this way she referred to American duties for the European Union.
The chairwoman of the EC reminded that the administration so far USA She announced a 25 % increase in duties on the import of steel, aluminum, cars and car parts, and the next sectors that will be covered will be semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and wood. She criticized the decisions taken in Washington again.
– Customs are taxes that will be paid by people. Customs are taxes for Americans for food and medicine. The duties will only drive inflationwhich is the exact opposite of what we want to achieve. American factories will pay more for components produced in Europe. It will cost the loss of jobs. It will create a bureaucratic monster of new customs procedures. It will be a nightmare for all US importers. And today nobody needs it. Neither in the USA nor in Europe – she said.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the response to the American duties is EU unity and determination. She added that she had already contacted EU heads of state and governments regarding the next steps in this matter.
The EU wants negotiations with the United States
– Negotiations are our goal. But, of course, if the need arises, We will protect our interests, our people and our companies. (…) We believe that this confrontation is not in anyone's interest. The flow of goods and services between us is almost balanced. We are ready to work on the trade balance of goods as well as services – she declared.
She emphasized that it was not Europe that began a confrontation with the USA. – We do not want retaliation, but we have a strong plan (regarding such activities), if necessary – she announced.
American duties
American duties on cars are to come into force on Wednesday, together with the “mutual duties”, having – in theory – level the customs rates used by other countries. Trump described this day as “the day of liberation of America”.
Earlier, on March 12, they entered into force increased by the US President of 25 percent. for foreign steel and aluminum. In response to these tariffs, the EC informed about the EU imposition of retaliation duties on goods from the United States with a total value of EUR 26 billion.
Source of the main photo: PAP/EPA/Neil Hall