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The European Union pledged on Thursday (October 3rd) to respond to US sanctions on European products, while hoping to reach an amicable agreement with Washington to avoid the escalation of a trade war.
" If the United States imposes sanctions, they will push the EU to do the same, " warned Daniel Rosario, spokesman for the European Commission on Thursday. The day before, tensions between Brussels and Washington have suddenly resurfaced when US authorities announced they want to hit $ 7.5 billion worth of punitive tariff products from Europe, after being given the go-ahead by the WTO as part of the battle. 15 years between aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus.
This morning, US President Donald Trump welcomed the decision of the WTO, hailing " a great victory ". Washington says that customs surcharges will be imposed from October 18: 10% on aircraft and more generally the aviation industry, and 25% on other products such as wine, cheese or luxury goods.
The response from Brussels, which is negotiating on behalf of the 28 EU Member States, has not been slow. And while many French products are concerned by US punitive measures, the French government has, by the voice of its spokesperson, displayed the same firmness. " Obviously we will provide retaliatory measures, it is at the level of the European Union that we must look at this. We, too, have trade disputes with the United States at the WTO, "said Sibeth Ndiaye.
Washington and Brussels in favor of negotiations
For its part, Berlin announces that it will react " determinedly but thoughtfully to this new situation ." " In a globalized world, trade disputes are not used by anyone, in recent months have shown, " warned the German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, quoted by the daily Bild . Exporting power, Germany is strongly affected by global trade tensions.
While the parties are showing their determination, they are not closing the door to negotiations. Washington says it always hopes to " start negotiations ". " The European Commission has consistently indicated to the United States that the EU is ready to work towards a fair and balanced solution for our respective aviation industries ," said Daniel Rosario.
It is not the first US taxes on European products: since June 1, steel and aluminum are subject to tariffs to reduce the US trade deficit. In retaliation, the EU has targeted US products such as Harley-Davidson, bourbon or jeans. After a relative truce, the risk of an escalation of the sanctions is henceforth not to be excluded. Donald Trump is due to decide by November 13 whether or not to impose additional tariffs on cars imported from the European Union, a threat particularly feared by Berlin.
(With AFP)