Washington (EFE).- US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he would impose a 30 percent tariff on products from the European Union (EU) starting Aug. 1.
In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump also emphasized that if the 27-country trading bloc retaliated with higher tariffs, “then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added on to the 30% that we charge.”
“Please understand that the 30% is far less than what is needed to eliminate the Trade Deficit disparity we have with the EU. As you are aware, there will be no Tariffs if the European Union, or companies within the EU, decide to build or manufacture products in the United States,” the president explained in his letter.
In this regard, Trump emphasized that the US government would do “everything possible to get approvals quickly” for European companies that want to manufacture in the country.
“The European Union will allow complete, open Market Access to the United States, with no Tariff being charged to us, in an attempt to reduce the large Trade Deficit,” he added.
The EU is the world’s third-largest economy, and Maros Sefcovic, the bloc’s trade commissioner, has been in contact with the US secretary of commerce and the US trade representative.
Following Trump’s announcement, Von der Leyen said that Brussels was willing to continue tariff negotiations with the US to reach an agreement before Aug. 1, but did not rule out “proportionate countermeasures” to “safeguard” European interests.
“We take note of the letter sent by US President Trump outlining a revised tariff rate and a new timeline. Imposing 30 percent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,” she said a statement.
“We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required,” she added.
The EU official said that the bloc would continue to deepen its “global partnerships, firmly anchored in the principles of rules-based international trade.” EFE
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