US government not seeking deal to avert tariffs, says EU trade commissioner

US president Donald Trump's administration appears unwilling to strike a deal that could avert higher import tariffs, European Trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic said on Monday. Sefcovic visited Washington last month to try to strike a deal.

The US and the EU managed to identify a number of areas of mutual benefit that should be pursued, he told a press briefing in Brussels on Monday. "But in the end, one hand cannot clap. The US administration does not seem to be engaging to make a deal."

New US import tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and aluminium are due to come into force on Wednesday. They will apply to all trading partners, including the EU. In addition, Trump has said that higher tariffs on other European products could also come into force from April.

"We will always protect European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified tariffs"

However, it is uncertain how many of these tariffs will actually be applied. Last week, Trump announced a last-minute suspension of higher tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Some believe he is using tariffs as a tool to extract concessions from other countries, rather than actually planning to enforce them.

Sefcovic said he hoped for a "constructive" and "positive" relationship with the US administration. But he also reiterated that the EU would respond to higher tariffs. "We will always protect European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified tariffs," the Slovenian said. "I think we've been very clear about it and I know they expect no less from us."

 

© PHOTO JIM WATSON / AFP


Related news

Website preview
Trump's tariffs could cost Belgium 12bn euros, Flemish businesses say
The import tariffs that US president Donald Trump wants to impose on European products could have a major impact on the Belgian economy, according...
belganewsagency.eu

Share

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About belganewsagency.eu

Belga News Agency delivers dependable, rapid and high-quality information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from Belgium and abroad to all Belgian media. The information covers all sectors, from politics, economics and finance to social affairs, sports and culture, not to mention entertainment and lifestyle.

Every day, our journalists and press photographers produce hundreds of photos and news stories, dozens of online information items, plus audio and video bulletins, all in both national languages. Since the end of March 2022 English has been added as a language.

For public institutions, businesses and various organisations that need reliable information, Belga News Agency also offers a comprehensive range of corporate services to meet all their communication needs.

Contact

Arduinkaai 29 1000 Brussels

www.belganewsagency.eu