The leader of Europe's largest economy will lobby Trump for a reprieve
during a brief working stop at the White House on Friday.
The same
appeal was made earlier this week by French President Emmanuel Macron,
who failed to secure concessions on trade during a high profile visit
and state dinner.
Observers say there is little chance of a
breakthrough before tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the EU
take effect on May 1. After announcing the tariffs in early March, the
United States granted a number of temporary exemptions, including to the
European Union.
"We continue to be in constant contact with the US administration," a spokesperson for the European Commission said this week. "We expect a permanent and unconditional exemption from the US tariffs."
If it doesn't get want it wants, the European Union stands ready to retaliate. It has already published a list of hundreds of American products that it could target if Trump moves forward with the tariffs. The list runs to 10 pages and includes US cigarettes, sweetcorn, ovens, sailboats, lipstick and stainless steel sinks.
The response from Europe could come within days.
"Our expectation remains to be exempted, but we are ready if necessary," said the Commission spokesperson.
US exports worth €6.4 billion ($7.8 billion) are in the firing line. That's roughly equal to the value of steel and aluminum shipped each year from the European Union to the United States.
The worry is that the spat won't stop there. Trump has threatened to respond to any new EU trade barriers with a tax on vehicles made by European carmakers.
Read more: Tariffs: EU ready to hit back if Trump presses ahead
No comments:
Post a Comment