BRUSSELS: Washington has instructed the European Union it shouldn’t count on any commerce negotiations earlier than the USA has imposed extra tariffs on the bloc subsequent week, EU diplomats mentioned on Thursday (Mar 27).
US President Donald Trump’s administration has already imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, plans a further 25 per cent duty on car imports and intends to announce reciprocal tariffs subsequent Wednesday aimed on the international locations 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 mentioned 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 mentioned.
The officers, who spoke on situation of anonymity, mentioned the reciprocal tariffs could be as excessive as 25 per cent, however the stage was nonetheless not sure.
“It is only a guess,” one of many sources mentioned.
Washington has 5 sectors it needs to spice up domestically: autos, prescription drugs, timber, semiconductors and metals.
In Europe, Washington has been intently eyeing competitors in autos and prescription drugs. US President Donald Trump mentioned on Monday he’ll announce tariffs on cars, aluminium and prescription 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 mentioned the Fee would current its closing counter-measures on Apr 4.
The Fee mentioned 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 will probably be well timed, that will probably be strong, that will probably be effectively calibrated and that it’s going to obtain the supposed affect”, a spokesperson mentioned.
