Why was Europe “surprised” when Trump wrote his letter of customs sanctions on Saturday?

The unilateral decision of the Republican billionaire to impose customs duties of 30% in European products entering the United States, three times the current rate, took the 27 EU member states.

And for a good reason: for several days, the European Commission has transmitted resolutely positive signals that emanate from their negotiations with Washington. A “good exchange” between the president of the European Executive Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump; “Productive” discussions between Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, responsible for negotiating the American agreement and its American counterparts …

So many elements that feed the hope of a negotiated commitment.

The agreement imagined? A 10% general tax imposed by the United States on European imports, with many exemptions for key sectors such as steel, car, pharmacy or aeronautics.

Is there no letter?

Even when Donald Trump began sending his first letters last Monday, imposing 25% of customs duties in South Korea and Japan, then 50% in Brazil, Europeans were not yet particularly worried.

The same story on Friday, early in the afternoon.

“On our side, we are ready,” concluded an agreement, said Olof Gill. “Let’s see what is happening when our friends in Washington wake up in a few hours.”

The Cleaver finally fell shortly after, when the commission received the news that the customs duties of 30% would be taxed in all European products entering the United States, as of August 1.

The information is quickly shared with those responsible for the largest European capitals. Others only learn the news when the letter, signed in Negra, the US president, is published on the Donald Trump network on Saturday, early in the afternoon, European.

The EU must “defend their interests”

Several heads of state approach the niche, such as French president Emmanuel Macron, who expresses “his very lively disapproval,” now urges the European Union to defend their interests.

Donald Trump’s letter decreases these customs duties, should it be taken as effective? Or is it simply a way to increase pressure on Europeans?

They met in Brussels on Monday, European ministers in charge of foreign trade have expressed hope of achieving a negotiated solution with Washington for August 1.

“I can’t imagine stopping there without real effort,” said Discreet Maros Sefcovic, promising to exchange again with his American counterparts, Jamieson Greer and Howard MondayT, possibly on Monday.