EU trade ministers, led by Sweden's Benjamin Dousa, are preparing to counter President Trump's tariff threats with confidence and potential retaliatory measures. As negotiations with the US continue, the EU is ready to implement significant counter-tariffs if no agreement is reached by August.
EU Stands Firm Against Trump's Tariff Threats
EU Stands Firm Against Trump's Tariff Threats
"Dare to be tough," urges Sweden's Minister for Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, as EU countries express frustration over the latest tariff threats from Donald Trump. New talks with the US are already underway.
The irritation is palpable among EU trade ministers over President Trump's threat of tariffs as high as 30% if no solution is reached before August 1.
"Unacceptable and unjustified," says Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen at the press conference following Monday's trade minister meeting in Brussels.
There is a strong consensus not to back down.
"There is a broad consensus in the EU right now to approach this with greater confidence and to stand firm if necessary," Benjamin Dousa tells Swedish journalists on site.
"Everyone Wants a Solution"
Dousa has put forward a Swedish proposal to counter the US by lowering tariffs for imports to the EU from other countries.
Step one is still continued negotiations with the US.
"The EU never leaves without having made genuine efforts," promises Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic.
At the same time, EU countries are ready to increase measures against more US products and even employ the so-called "bazooka," where services can also be included in the trade conflict.
The next action package that the commission is now allowing countries to review consists of counter-tariffs worth 72 billion euros.
"Everyone wants to see a solution before the beginning of August, but if we don't get there, if the US doesn't sit down and have serious negotiations with us, then Europe is ready to respond in a tough and clear way," says Dousa.
Not Critical of the EU
He is not yet critical of how the EU Commission has handled negotiations with the US.
"We have handled this according to all the rules of the art. It is the US that has escalated in several stages," says the trade minister.
Maros Sefcovic is set to hold new talks with his counterparts in the US already on Monday evening.
"We must be ready for anything," says the Trade Commissioner in Brussels.