The European Union is ready to interact with the administration of the new US President Donald Trump and discuss all issues of concern to Washington, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic said.
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He said that the EU is listening carefully to statements coming from the White House.
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“Our message is very clear: we are ready for interaction. We want to present a package of measures for cooperation, and we are also ready to discuss all issues of concern to our American partners, and then we will act according to the situation,” the European Commissioner added.
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Trump, during his first term as US President, introduced new tariffs on steel and aluminum. At the end of 2022, another trade war began to brew between America and its European partners after the United States passed an anti-inflation law that Europe called unfair competition. In response, the European Union imposed tariffs on American goods.
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The EU fears that Trump will return to protectionist policies and again increase duties on products from the European Union. Trump has announced plans to add 10% to tariffs on goods from China and sign an executive order imposing 25% tariffs on all goods from Mexico and Canada. In addition, the American leader advocates increasing defense spending of all NATO members to 5% of GDP. According to Trump, “they can all afford it.”
