The EU promises to react « firmly and immediately » – Liberation
The European Union is preparing its response. Despite Emmanuel Macron's visit to the White House earlier this week where he had asked his counterpart not to impose additional customs duties on EU products, Donald Trump all the same announced on Wednesday, February 26, his decision to take action on Wednesday 26 February « shortly ».
This brutal increase in customs tariffs will be 25 %, or The level at which Canadian and Mexican products should also be taxed From early April. It particularly targets « Cars or () agricultural products » Europeans, said the billionaire.
Donald Trump also justified his decision by repeating his disputed calculation of the American trade deficit With regard to Europe, which he estimates at $ 300 billion. Data that the European Commission disputes, the encrypting on the contrary to 150 billion euros ($ 157 billion) on goods only, and only 50 billion once taken into account the American trade surplus in services. The tenant of the White House also assured that “The EU was designed to piss the United States. It was the goal and they got there. But now? I am the president. «
A formula that did not please the former president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, who replied this Thursday that the EU had « Not been created to enter anyone. » The current Polish Prime Minister stressed that his goal was actually to “Maintain peace, to establish respect between our nations, to create a free and fair trade and to strengthen our transatlantic friendship. It's as simple as that ”, he wrote on X.
The European Commission also responded to the announcement of these new customs duties in a statement by claiming that it would ride « firmly and immediately». « »The EU will always protect European companies, workers and consumers against unjustified customs dutiesadded the European executive bombing the EU « The largest free trade market in the world » as well as« Aubaine for the United States ».
On the French government side, the Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, reacted this Thursday morning on Franceinfo wishing a reaction « Farm and proportionate » European partners. « »The European Union must react in the firm way as it is, in the most immediate way and I insist in the most proportionate way, because this is how it works« Had hammered the minister.
The boss of Bercy, Eric Lombard, also assured that the European Union « Will do the same »if its products are taxed at 25 % in the United States. « It is clear that if the Americans keep customs increases in customs, which was announced by President Trump, the EU will do the same, » said the Minister of Economy during a G20 meeting in CAP this Thursday.
Threats that do not seem to scare the American president. « They can try to do so, but the effects will never be the same, because we can leave. We are the corne of abundance, what everyone wants and they can try reprisals, but it will not work ”, Had he theorized when the twenty-seven had already said themselves ready to reply on the issue of additional customs duties imposed on European steel. To hear it, the equation is simple for the United States: « It is enough that we no longer buy anything, and if that's what happens, we win. »
