There European Commission proposed to United States – already in February – to reset i duties on all industrial goodsnot only on cars but also on drugs, chemistry And machinery. A hand tense as a sign of absolute desire to reach a agreement without going through a massacrer commercial war fratricida. At the same time, Brussels has no intention of “waiting indefinitely” the “real commitment” of the United States to sit at the table of negotiations and therefore it goes on with the first countermeasures. Tonight will also the list of duties against the Member States American products. Arrives in response to the decision of Washington to apply 25% of the duties on steel And aluminum. The first part (for a value of 4.6 billion), which was frozen from the previous commercial dispute, will enter into force from April 15th. The second, new with a value of over 18 billion, will be applicable from May 15th. Both will be voted Wednesday. From the list, according to what the Financial Timesthe bourbon on the pressing request for France, Italy And Ireland After the president Donald Trump He had threatened a retaliation of 200% on wines and champagne.
At the table of Extraordinary tradebrought together today to Luxembourgthe deputy premier and foreign minister, Antonio Tajanihad presented himself with another request: to postpone the entry into force of the countermeasures at the end of the month, to leave more time to the negotiation. “The timing are dictated by legal reasons, it is not possible to postpone,” said the end of the European Commerce Commissioner, Maros Sefcovicwho – during the meeting – did not fail to thank Tajani for the Italian support. And actually, also to deny what is circulated in recent days in the international media, the head of the Farnese He clarified that Italy “will say what he thinks but will do nothing that can hinder the work of Commissioner Sepcovic in which he has the utmost trust”. No veto In short (also because to reject the duties you need the qualified majority of the opposites). A message – judging by the reactions that came out of the Council – also shared by the other ministers. “We have summoned this meeting to preserve theEU units And it is a widely achieved goal, “highlighted the Undersecretary to the economy from the Poland (Presidency of the Union of the Union), MICHAL BANOWSKI. The Minister of Economy German, Robert Habeckeven said it was “affected” by this unit.
We proposed zero-for-zero duties For cars and industrial goods. But it is good to be clear: to involve the United States will require time And I commit. At the moment, we are in the early stages of the discussions because the USA see the duties not as a tactical step but as one corrective measurement. We are fully prepared to sit at the negotiation table as soon as our American partners are ready. Third, while the EU remains open – and it strongly prefers – negotiation, we will not wait for infinity. Until we see tangible progresswe will work three tracks long: defend our interests through countermeasures; diversify our trade through new agreements; prevent harmful commercial deviations», Explained Sefcovic in press conference at the end of the Council.
A few minutes earlier it had been the same President of the Commission, Ursula von der leyento announce from Brussels – in a press point with the Norwegian premier, Jonas Gahr Store – The proposal of zero duties. “THE’Europe It is always ready for a good agreement. So we keep the offer on the table. But we are also ready to respond through countermeasures e defend our interests. And also, we will also protect ourselves from indirect effects through the commercial diversion. For this purpose, we will establish one Task Force For monitor imports», He announced. In mentioning the countermeasures he spoke of the list but also of others retaliation. And on this states have more than one hypothesis: by those who ask to hit the digital services sector To those who would like to exclude the American companies from European public contracts. But this is another game that will open in the next few days, when the one on the steel will be closed.
Zero Dazi’s proposal had also been evoked by Elon Musksuper councilor of Trump, in his intervention to Congress of the League to Florence. Many European countries have welcomed it today. There Germany But it does not give credit to those statements. “I think it’s a sign of weakness and perhaps also of fearbecause the policy it is implementing is completely different, “said Habeck. «If he has something to say, he should go to his president and tell him: before talking about zero duties, we stop with absurdities and the chaos that you have created in the last week. It is ridiculous, and the only interpretation I can give is that now he realizes that his own companiesbut also the economiesare about to collapse due to the disaster they have combined. So he is afraid, “he added.
Even Sefcovic said he was convinced that “sooner or later the Americans They will stay at the table for a real commitment for an agreement. That moment is not time, but certainly in the future ». For Germany the United States “at risk of recession“They won’t stand much weight of duties.