Response from Brussels

Their strategy against Donald Trump’s “unjustified” duties is being discussed today by the Ministers of Commerce of the European Union in Luxembourg. This is the first such meeting after the imposition of “mutual duties” announced by the US president on April 2.

‘Historical moments’ due to EU duties

“We live historical moments. We have never seen such duties for 100 years before, “Polish Minister of Commerce Michal Baranovsky, whose country is presenting the EU Council’s chairman, said at the meeting and took the initiative of today’s meeting. “We have to learn from history and what led to the era of the Great Depression,” the Polish minister said meaningfully.

The Commission is analyzing the measures before answering the “triple” beam of measures announced by Washington: duties on steel and aluminum imports, cars and 20% on anything else imported by the EU. “Basic goal to send united message“, Baranovsky said.

Differences are marked among the 27 ministers

His message is not accidental, as different positions are already recorded among the ’27’. At a meeting of ambassadors to the EU last Thursday, France, Germany and Belgium, they asked the Commission a strong response with measures against services, where the US has a trade surplus within the “bloc” using the “anti -reaction tool” (the country). with European diplomatic sources.

On the other hand, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, who claims a “bridge” role between the EU and Washington and her Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban, who maintains friendly relations with Trump, intend to “block” such a move. Skepticism for measures against services are expressed by countries, such as Latvia. A special majority is needed to make the decision.

For the time being, two camps are being formed: France and Germany demanding retaliation and use of the anti -coercion tool, as German Minister Robert Hambeck pointed out in the morning and on the other, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Hungary and others. demanding time for negotiations. The first two propose the creation of a joint fund with resources from a common lending to provide state support for businesses as a compensation for the consequences of duties.

In favor of the Commission line Greece and Cyprus

The Governmental Council for Economic Policy is meeting in Athens today on its position on European reaction to US duties. Greece, as well as Cyprus in the principle, is in favor of the Commission line: negotiations and proportionate measures, while Athens is in favor of the joint fund.

In Luxembourg, ministers “will not make final decisions” the Polish minister said. Two basic principles will be nominated as “guidelines” to Commissioner Maros Shefkovic: Further negotiations towards a constructive solution and ready -made, proportionate countermeasures.