EU proposes to a few US products from 25 percent-Diepresse.com

The EUIn response to higher steel and aluminum levies from the United States, the commission proposes to a few US products of 25 percent. This emerges from a document that the Reuters news agency could see. Customs on some products should come into force on May 16, on others only later in the year on December 1st. Bourbon is not on the list as originally intended.

EU trading commissioner Sefcovic wants to send the EU countries a detailed list of EU measures in the customs dispute with the USA on Monday, he said after the EU Trade Council in Luxembourg, where it was advised. Commission President of the Leyen said in Brussels that the EU had offered the United States an agreement for the mutual cancellation of all tariffs to industrial goods. A trade war does not bring anyone, said Minister of Economics Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP). The Leyen said that the EU was ready to negotiate, but also to take countermeasures.

US President Donald Trump had recently imposed high import tariffs. Trump wants to correct alleged trade weights with tariffs and move production to the USA. EU trading commissioner Maros Sefcovic emphasized the EU in the press conference after the Ministry of Commerce that the EU is taking negotiations, but would not « wait forever ». 70 percent of the total EU exports are affected by the US tariffs.

Sefkovic: Solid list worked out

Sefcovic emphasized that EU Commission Together with the EU countries and the most important stakeholders, I worked out a « solid list of countermeasures ». He announced that the EU countries would receive this detailed list today. The EU ambassadors should vote on this Wednesday. According to Sefkovic, the first part of the tariffs would then apply from April 15, the second part 30 days later. This is primarily about a reaction to Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs. The list should include US meat, grain, wine, wood and clothing as well as chewing gum, dental floss, vacuum cleaner and toilet paper.

Despite the discussions and anticipated countermeasures, the trade commissioner has not yet given up hope of a solution: he hoped that the EU and the USA would find a compromise that would reduce or abolish tariffs, he said. The current representative of the Council Presidency Michal Baranowski also said that Plan A of the EU was negotiations, while Plan B, a possible reaction in her pocket.

Italy for shifting the counter -tariffs

Italy, however, suggested a shift in the planned EU counter tariffs. « Let’s see if we can move them for a few weeks so that there is more time for the dialogue, » argued the Italian foreign minister and vice prime minister Antonio Tajani, according to media information. Tajani called on the EU for cohesion in response to the US tariffs. « We have to discuss our positions and demands among us, but we have to appear very closed to our American partners, » warned the Italian Foreign Minister. Italy is fully behind the European Commission in preparing their answer to the US tariffs and in negotiations to avoid a « trade war ». Tajani, the chairman of the government party Forza Italia is, warned of an exaggerated panic facility because of the trade tariffs. « We have to react with great serenity. The stock markets collapse because there is an exaggerated alarmism, » said Tajani.

Rumor has it plans to take a trip to the United States soon to discuss the topic of tariffs with US President Donald Trump, which could particularly strain some Italian economic sectors such as the agricultural and food industry with US President Donald Trump. Meloni maintains good relationships with Trump. She was the only head of government of an EU state in the ceremony to Trump’s taking office in January. Tajani confirmed that the Italian government did not intend to bring the European Commission « into difficulties » with Meloni’s US trip.

Hattmannsdorfer: EU does not have to be afraid

For Economic Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, it is « clear » that the EU does not need to be afraid of Trump. It is « correct that the first customs package now comes into force where we specifically meet the US prestige products ». A second package should follow in mid-April, in which, in his opinion, Republican US states should be hit. In the event of the failure of negotiations, a third package should take steps, but also provide steps in the regulator, the minister said before the meeting towards media representatives.

However, he also emphasized the importance of world trade and international relations for Austria and the EU. The EU had to « understand this as a wake -up call » and « make more speed in competitiveness ». Hattmannsdorfer demands regulatorism for companies and to open up new trade relationships and new sales markets. Regarding the demands of the US billionaire and Trump consultant Elon Musk after a free trade zone between North America and Europe, the Austrian minister said that the « ideal state would be a duty-free relationship between Europe and the USA », but « how realistic » that is, he could not say.

A « clear signal towards the USA is now needed, if the negotiations fail, we have another package ». Hattmannsdorfer confirmed his demand to make tech companies their goal here, but he is less concerned with tariffs, but taxes and digital sites. Making the US digital group the goal of EU countermeasures is definitely controversial. Irish Minister of Commerce Simon Harris, for example, warned again on Monday. Ireland would be particularly affected by such measures, since large tech companies such as Google or Apple have their European headquarters there.

Habeck: Do not run in the case of the United States

Germany’s Minister of Economics Robert Habeck emphasized that it was important not to « run into the trap that the Americans have put up ». Globalization is good for everyone. There is already a lot of damage to the global economy that could be even bigger, he warned. Europe is in a strong position, America in one of the weakness, said Habeck. However, Europe has to « stand together and not let themselves be split ». The strength comes out of commonality. The green appealed for trading contacts with other countries and agreements; The agreement with Mercosur is a good example of this. In his view, a trade war must be avoided, he emphasized.

« Donald Trump’s customs brain can only be countered by a strong common line of all Member States. The EU should also force its maximum provocation to soften its tech regulation. The numbers on which Trump’s calculations are based are absurd and completely arbitrary. With the anti-constraint instrument, the EU can limit access to banking, insurance and capital markets of the EU for US companies Exclude public orders of the EU or limit advertising on US platforms for social media. (APA)