BRUSSELS: Washington has advised the European Union it shouldn’t count on any commerce negotiations earlier than the US has imposed extra tariffs on the bloc subsequent week, EU diplomats stated on Thursday (Mar 27).
US President Donald Trump’s administration has already imposed 25 per cent tariffs on metal and aluminium imports, plans a further 25 per cent obligation on automobile imports and intends to announce reciprocal tariffs subsequent Wednesday aimed on the nations he says are chargeable for the majority of the US items commerce deficit.
European Commerce Commissioner Maros Sefcovic met US counterparts in Washington this week and EU envoys stated Fee officers briefed them on the go to late on Wednesday.
The Fee has tried to launch negotiations to avert further tariffs, however Washington’s message was that no negotiations would occur till additional US tariffs are imposed, the envoys stated.
The officers, who spoke on situation of anonymity, stated the reciprocal tariffs may be as excessive as 25 per cent, however the degree was nonetheless not sure.
“It is only a guess,” one of many sources stated.
Washington has 5 sectors it desires to spice up domestically: autos, prescribed drugs, timber, semiconductors and metals.
In Europe, Washington has been carefully eyeing competitors in autos and prescribed drugs. US President Donald Trump stated on Monday he’ll announce tariffs on vehicles, aluminium and prescribed drugs within the very close to future.
The European Fee has proposed counter-measures on as much as US$28 billion of US imports as a response to Trump’s metals tariffs. These are more likely to be imposed in mid-April. One diplomat stated the Fee would current its closing counter-measures on Apr 4.
The Fee stated on Thursday it was getting ready its response to the brand new automobile import duties, however didn’t present any timing.
“However I can guarantee you that it will likely be well timed, that it will likely be sturdy, that it will likely be nicely calibrated and that it’ll obtain the meant impression”, a spokesperson stated.
