EU Commissioner calls for “respect instead of threats” from the USA-and then there are threats from parliament | EUROtoday

After the specter of US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of fifty % in opposition to the EU from June, EU commerce commissioner Maros Sefcovic nonetheless hopes for an settlement within the battle. The European Union is “determined to achieve an agreement that works for both sides,” mentioned Sefcovic after speaking to Trump’s commerce officer Jamieson Greer and US commerce Minister Howard Lutnick on Friday in on-line service X.

The EU is working “in good faith” on a commerce settlement with the United States based mostly on “respect” and never on “threats”, Sefcovic emphasised.

Trump had beforehand acknowledged that he was not focusing on an settlement with Brussels. “I’m not looking for an agreement,” Trump mentioned on Friday in entrance of journalists within the White House. “We have already submitted an agreement: it is 50 percent,” he added as regards to the threatened import duties in opposition to the EU.

Trump had beforehand complained in his on-line service Truth Social, who had talks with Brussels “nowhere”. From June 1st, the brand new responsibility charge of fifty % can be 5 instances as excessive as the present surcharge of ten % on most merchandise. In distinction, the next charge of 25 % already applies to automobiles or aluminum.

Meanwhile, the MEP Bernd Lange (SPD) threatened the EU in opposition to the US in opposition to the US. “We do not let ourselves be put under pressure and will try to start negotiations in a matter of fact,” mentioned the chairman of the commerce committee within the European Parliament to the newspapers of the Funke Mediengruppe (Saturday).

“If the negotiations should not be successful, the European Union is strong enough to put countermeasures, for example counter -tariffs, in force to compensate for economic damage,” added Lange. “We are very confident and are also aware of our economic strength.”

Trump’s intention is obvious: “He wants to put pressure on the European negotiating position.” But that may not be attainable, the SPD politician mentioned.

Long, which shall be in Washington itself subsequent week, emphasised that the EU was prepared to debate alternatives relating to the popularity of requirements or certifications within the negotiations or to advise joint actions in a global context, for instance to enhance funding circumstances.

Lange made it clear about European legislation-be it within the space of ​​taxes, shopper safety, chemical regulation and even within the digital space.

Trump has been occurring a tough buying and selling coverage course on January 20, which has shaken the worldwide provide chains on January 20. At the start of April, he imposed excessive extra tariffs in opposition to quite a few states, together with the EU – and shortly afterwards lowered it to a primary customs of ten % for 90 days. Regardless of this, the United States raises tariffs of 25 % on metal and aluminum items in addition to automobiles.

The EU tried negotiations with Washington. In the occasion of a failure, she has already ready in opposition to tariffs. They are presupposed to hit US merchandise price virtually 100 billion euros.