Between retribution and opportunities: reactions from Belgian MEPs to Rates War

Between calm and united, strengthening the European competitive position and recovering new trade agreements, including to the Big Tech billionaires: the unseen American import taxes of 20 percent on European goods also provide many reactions among Belgian European Parliament members on Thursday.

According to Sophie Wilmès (MR) must strike the European Union strongly. « President Trump is a pity only understands power relationships. If we don’t put anything in return, we will not succeed in creating a dialogue that opens the road to negotiations, » said the former prime minister.

According to Wilmès, « without postponing » retribution rates on American products must be introduced and the EU should also think about American services and digital platforms. « Nobody does this wholeheartedly, but the United States forces us this reality. We can’t stay passive. »

Saskia Bricmont (Ecolo) believes that the time has come for the American digital giants in Europe to « pay taxes like any other company ». Just like Kathleen van Brempt (Voor) is insisting on the anti-danger instrument, which offers a framework for far-reaching countermeasures in the field of, for example, intellectual property rights, direct foreign investments or public tenders.

Elio Di Rupo (PS) believes that Europe initially « has to do everything to avoid an escalation » through diplomatic roads. « But if that is impossible, then Europe has to act to my great regret and respond powerfully and united, » said the former prime minister, who fears price increases that will especially feel the most vulnerable. Marc Botenga (PTB) fears a redistribution of wealth « to the top » and unseen inequality in the United States.

« Trump hates Europe because Europe with 27 is stronger than any separate and also stronger than the US. Only with a strong and united EU do we avoid that Trump dictates us how we do business, » says Wouter Beke (CD&V). Like other MEPs, he hopes that negotiations can lead to a solution, but in the meantime it must also be considered to « touch Trump where it hurts: Big Tech and the billionaires that protect him ».

Beke emphasizes that the EU should also do its own homework to be stronger in international trade. That also emphasizes Johan Van Overtveldt (N-VA). « We have more interest in sharpening that competitive position than ever, by drastically simplifying regulations, reducing the burdens and energy costs, strengthening the internal market, digitizing and stimulating investments and innovation, » he argues.

« Only by giving our entrepreneurs more space and oxygen, will we be economically strong enough against all that violence from China and the US. Today our internal European trade is five times larger than our trade with the US. We now have to ensure that a euro replaces every dollar that we lose, » says Hilde Vautmans (Open Vld). Together with Wilmès, she will receive a delegation from American parliamentary members next week.

Kris Van Dijck (N-VA) insists that the time has come to make accelerated work on the opportunity to close trade agreements with, for example, Mercosur and Southeast Asia. « Together we have to be shoulder to the shoulder against the volatility of American trade policy. » Yvan Verougstraete (Les Engagés) also sees opportunities for Europe in Trump’s trade war. For him, 2 April should not go into history as « The Day of Liberation » of the United States, but « the first day on which we free ourselves from him ».