The European Union plans to increase its purchases of American products by 50 billion euros, to solve the “problem” of its commercial relations with Washington, explains the European commissioner in charge of Commerce, Maros Sefcovic, in an interview with the Financial Times published online on Thursday.
The EU is in full negotiations with the US administration to obtain customs duties imposed by Donald Trump. American surcharges of 25% in cars, aluminum and steel have already entered into force, as well as a 10% customs surcharge in all other products. Donald Trump accuses Europe of maintaining a large commercial deficit with the United States, which evaluates several hundred billion dollars. But according to the EU, this deficit is limited to 50 billion euros, if we take into account the services.
A “very high level”
When asked if he would accept a 10% tax as a flat in commercial negotiations, Maros Sefcovic said the EU considered this as a “very high level”, which suggests that the EU would not be satisfied with an agreement that would maintain customs tasks at this level. It will be “very difficult” to achieve an agreement that is “clearly good and acceptable to our Member States and our European Parliament,” says Maros Sefcovic.
Commercial negotiations are the jurisdiction of the European Commission. Once an agreement has been concluded, it must still be approved by the 27 Member States and ratified by the European Parliament.
Source: BFM TV
