Transatlantic trade tensions have intensified following U.S. President Donald Trump's recent announcement of a 25-percent tariff on European imports. In a stern response, European countries have declared that Europe will react \\"firmly and immediately\\" against what they consider to be unjustified trade barriers.
The tariff, announced by Trump on Wednesday, targets various European imports, including cars and other goods. During a White House cabinet meeting, Trump accused the EU of \\"taking advantage of\\" the United States by restricting American cars and agricultural products.
Olof Gill, spokesperson for the European Commission, responded on Thursday by highlighting the significant profits American businesses have garnered from investments in Europe. \\"By creating a large and integrated single market, the European Union (EU) has facilitated trade, reduced costs for EU exporters, and harmonized standards and regulations across all our member states. As a result, U.S. investments in Europe are highly profitable,\\" Gill emphasized.
The European Commission reiterated its stance on Wednesday, affirming that the EU would counteract \\"firmly and immediately\\" against unjust barriers to free and fair trade. This includes responding to tariffs that challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, speaking in Washington on Thursday, underscored the shared values between Europe and the United States and cautioned against isolationist policies. She reaffirmed the EU's readiness to respond \\"firmly and immediately against unjust barriers to free and fair trade.\\"
France and Spain echoed the EU's stance, advocating for unity in defending Europe's economic interests. French Economy Minister Eric Lombard, who attended the G20 finance ministers' meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, stated that the EU must protect its interests by mirroring the U.S. approach. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu emphasized the need for a \\"firm and proportionate reaction,\\" stating, \\"The EU must react in the firmest possible way, in the most immediate way, and I insist in the most proportionate way, because that's how it works.\\"
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, addressing an event in the Basque Region of northern Spain, declared that the EU is prepared to defend itself \\"against those who attack it with absolutely unjustified tariffs that threaten our economic sovereignty.\\" He stressed the EU's commitment to open trade and cooperation, contrasting it with Trump's promotion of \\"isolation.\\" Sanchez rejected Trump's claim that the EU was \\"formed to screw the United States,\\" arguing instead that many of America's affluent individuals owe their success to Europe.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed Sanchez's sentiments on social media platform X, stating, \\"The EU was not formed to screw anyone. Quite the opposite. It was formed to maintain peace, to build respect among our nations, to create free and fair trade, and to strengthen our transatlantic friendship.\\"
Italian officials have also voiced concerns over the escalating trade tensions. Adolfo Urso, Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, expressed worry over the potential impact on Italy's export-driven economy and stressed the importance of unity in the West to avoid a trade war. Emanuele Orsini, president of the Italian industry association Confindustria, warned that Trump's tariffs disrupt trade dynamics and threaten European businesses and jobs, stating, \\"The real goal of the U.S. is the deindustrialization of our continent. Europe must change the gear: time is up. The measures announced today in Brussels are insufficient,\\" calling it a \\"dark hour\\" for Europe.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
