Europe holds on duties: « fair agreement with the United States or we will react »

By our correspondent
Brussels – The agreements reached by the United States with Great Britain and China pushed the Polish undersecretary to economic development Michał Baranowski (Warsaw has the presidency on duty of the EU) towards a « Prudent optimism » Because « we see that the Americans are changing approach, » he said at the end of the Commerce Council yesterday. The agreements reached were read as a « de-Escalation ».
Even the EU Commissioner on the Trade Maroš Šefcovic He wanted to give a positive sign, remembering that on Wednesday he had « another constructive call with the secretary of the United States trade, Howard Lutnick»With which he » agreed to intensify our commitment on a technical level « . Šefcovic is maintaining « regular contacts » with him and with the ambassador Jamieson Greerwith which he exchanged text messages just before the start of yesterday’s start.

Cautious optimism

Cautious optimism, however, must not let the guard down. For the Minister to Swedish trade, Benjamin Dousa, those with China and the United Kingdom « are very, very small steps » because the basic duties are still there and « if this is what is waiting for Europe, then the United States can expect countermeasures from our part ». Firm but softer BARANOWSKI, for which « there is a lot of fighting for. But We must also protect the interests of European companies and consumers. Therefore, we must prepare for a plan B if the negotiations do not reach their full potential. But I hope we will not help plan B ». The goal of the European Union remains to find a « negotiated solution » that leads to « A fair and balanced result »said Šefcovic. In practice it means avoiding the reintroduction of « mutual » duties, which for 90 days have been lowered by the US from 20% to 10% and reduce those on steel, aluminum and cars « made in the EU », which are 25%. A situation of « imbalance ».

The EU looks to new markets

For Šefcovic there are areas where EU and USA can find common groundlike the productive surcharge« For example in the steel sector, in addictions », with reference to « critical raw materials and sensitive technologies », such as microchips and artificial intelligence.

The EU is also looking at new markets. The commissioner updated the ministers on Talks in progress with « India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines » and on the « renewed interest » for agreements with « United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, but also the Gulf Cooperation Council».

The fear is that the US intends to maintain the rate of the duties at 10%. The negotiation is on its 37 day, there are three months to get to a compromise. The EU is studying countermeasures. The European Commission is consulting the interested parties on a list of « Rebalancing measures » which would affect US exports for 95 billion euros. Šefcovic reiterated that « nothing is automatic. Any measure in question has the sole purpose of leveling the playing field in case of non -agreement».