Europe should respond if US President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on European goods. This is what Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) says ahead of the "informal reflection meeting" for EU heads of state and government on Monday in Brussels.
- Unfortunately, we will have to give a very robust response. And when I say unfortunately, it is because this will affect ordinary people. It will affect employees and companies in the US, Europe, Canada, Mexico and other places that are involved, says Mette Frederiksen.
Trump has 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. Trump has not yet presented a specific timetable for or size of the possible tariff on European goods. But he has reiterated that the tariff will come "soon". If that happens, Europe must respond, says the Danish Prime Minister.
- 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 peoples. But it is clear that if there is very strong American pressure on the European market, we cannot do anything but respond strongly, says Mette Frederiksen.
She states that the EU countries must discuss how they will specifically respond. Either 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. It is not Europe that is doing anything wrong right now. I cannot recommend a trade war. This will affect the individual American and the individual European, says Mette Frederiksen.
Trump plans tariffs against the EU "quite soon"
On Monday, Trump stated, according to the AFP news agency, that he plans to introduce tariffs on goods from the EU "quite soon."
Since Trump won the US presidential election in November, he has repeatedly threatened to increase tariffs on foreign goods - including European ones. A few days after his inauguration, Trump said at a press conference in the White House that he believes there is a worrying imbalance in the trade that takes place between the US and the EU.
- So they will be subject to tariffs. That is the only way to achieve justice, Trump said at the time.
Both Canada, Mexico and China have reacted to Trump's tariffs. Canada has announced that it will introduce tariffs of 25 percent. on American goods, while Mexico has also announced tariffs on goods from the United States.
China says it intends to come up with "an appropriate response" to the United States' decision to impose tariffs.
An anonymous Canadian official told AFP on Sunday evening that Canada will complain to the World Trade Organization (WTO) about the United States' decision to impose tariffs on goods from Canada.
Donald Trump will meet with representatives of Canada and Mexico on Monday to discuss the newly introduced tariffs. The president said this on Monday night, according to AFP.
In an attempt to avoid tariffs, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has opened the way for the EU to buy more liquefied natural gas in the United States.
This, together with purchases of, for example, American defense equipment, could help to balance the trade balance with the United States, according to the analysis in Brussels. But so far the opening has not been enough to appease Trump.
/ritzau/
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