Kelemen Hunor, about the rates imposed by the US: « We must treat the situation … »

The European Union and Romania must treat the situation created by the imposition of tariffs by the US calmly, to discuss and negotiate, says the president of UDMR, Kelemen Hunor.

Asked in Europa FM how Romania should manage from a political and diplomatic point of view ‘this commercial war that Donald Trump triggered, the UDMR leader showed that the situation should be treated first and foremost.

‘First calm, if you can stay calm in such a situation, but without hysteria in any case. And Europe as well. It should be expected a little, it should be discussed, it should be negotiated, because any hard reaction putting extra customs on the United States will aggravate the situation, it will not solve. The European Union had to talk to Trump’s team after the elections, until January 20, much more, but they were not aware or believed that what Trump said in the campaign, after the elections will no longer be promised. (…) And Trump does exactly what he said. From their point of view, there are certain reasons when they talk about customs duties, if we look at the commercial deficit, but not in this style and not in this rhythm against the European Union and against all partners, because this will have any effects, « explained Kelemen Hunor.

In his opinion, several aspects must be analyzed, among them being the reason for the existence of the commercial deficit.

‘Why is this commercial deficit? How we can balance, because any commercial war with customs duties will all put us in difficulty. That means inflation, this means less consumption, that meant less income, fewer jobs and at one point lack of goods on certain markets. Plus, the European Union will be pushed, involuntarily or voluntarily, I do not realize, to China. (…) Now, if it remains, and that is why I say that we have to stay calm, we must wait a bit and discuss, the European Union, including Romania, with the American administration, then we push us back to China. Which I do not know if it is very good, ‘considers the president of the UDMR.

According to him, ‘the last time there were such customs duties, such commercial war, in the 30s, immediately came the recession, the great recession, after which things were complicated in Europe and not only, but also in Asia’.

‘I think we should wait, not to react, but to prepare a package for our industry. Our industry where is it affected? In the steel area, as much as we have, that we have a problem, plus we are dependent on Germany, the car industry in Germany, France, which we produce for their cars, which at this time will have problems. And we ask the problem how we will keep jobs. That is why it is very important what will happen on May 4 and May 18, because the new president must radically change the approach of foreign policy. The economy, trade and commercial relations and attracting investors must be at the center of foreign policy, « the UDMR leader said.

He criticized in the context that former President Klaus Iohannis has never taken business people, ministers, except for decor ‘.

‘The interest of Romania is to have commercial relations and commercial partners in all areas, including America, where we can do something, because we are not very, very close directly to America in terms of trade. On the one hand. On the other hand, of course, being from the European Union, we must move with the European Union where it benefits us. Plus, without the United States, the eastern flank cannot be ensured, if we go further on the geopolitical security area and that is why I believe that bilateral relationships, our partnership must continue to be speculated and reinforced. As Poland does, as the Baltic countries do, « the UDMR leader said.

US President Donald Trump has announced ‘mutual rates’ worldwide in order to make’ to be reborn ‘the American industry and to put an end to the United States’ robbery.

20% rates will be imposed for the imported products from the European Union, 34% for those in China, 31%, 26% for India, 10% for the United Kingdom, 10% for Brazil.