The EU countries are apparently gathering for a response if US President Donald Trump starts a tariff war, which European leaders say will harm both parties.
This is clear after the EU heads of state and government arrived on Monday for an "informal reflection meeting" in Brussels, which was actually supposed to be about defense and security. Instead, Trump's threats to introduce tariffs on European goods "quite soon" have taken over the agenda.
- As a strong economic area, we can organize things ourselves and can also respond with tariff policies. We must and will do that, said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz upon arriving at the meeting in response to Trump's threats.
French President Emmanuel Macron will also give a strong response if Trump imposes tariffs on European goods.
- If we are attacked on trade, Europe - as a true power - must defend itself and therefore react, was the warning from Macron upon arrival.
Already on Sunday, the European Commission warned, according to the AFP news agency, that the EU will give a "firm response" in the event of "unfair" tariffs on European goods. However, the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, called on Monday for the parties to find a solution to avoid a trade war.
- We need America, and America also needs us. There are no winners in trade wars, said Kaja Kallas on the way to the meeting.
Trump has already announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada starting on Tuesday. As well as a ten percent tariff on goods from China. However, Trump has not yet presented a specific timetable for or size of the possible tariff on European goods. But he reiterated on Monday that the tariff will come "quite soon".
Mette Frederiksen: Not in favor of a trade war
If that happens, Europe must respond in return, this was also stated by the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen (S), on the way to the meeting in Brussels.
- I am not in favor of a trade war. I am actually in favor of the opposite. That we trade with each other, because it is trade that creates prosperity for our countries and populations. But it is clear that if there is very strong American pressure on the European market, we can do nothing but respond strongly, said Mette Frederiksen on the way to the meeting.
She states that the EU countries must discuss how they will respond in concrete terms. This could be done by a general tariff on American goods - or by, like Canada, hitting selected American goods with tariffs.
- This is a discussion we need to have between the EU countries on how best to do this, says Mette Frederiksen.
/ritzau/AFP
Text, graphics, images, sound, and other content on this website are protected under copyright law. DK Medier reserves all rights to the content, including the right to exploit the content for the purpose of text and data mining, cf. Section 11b of the Copyright Act and Article 4 of the DSM Directive.
Customers with IP agreements/major customer agreements may only share Danish Offshore Industry articles internally for the purpose of handling specific cases. Sharing in connection with specific cases refers to journaling, archiving, or similar uses.
Customers with a personal subscription/login may not share Danish Offshore Industry articles with individuals who do not themselves have a personal subscription to Danish Offshore Industry.
Any deviation from the above requires written consent from DK Medier.
