‘We want to believe that The duty imposing agreement at 15% levels It is a manageable situation and we hope that it will not create losses in the US and EU bilateral trade. “

This was noted, among other things, in a statement by the President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vassilis Korkidis.

In detail, Mr Korkidis said: “The announcement that the US and the European Union have reached an agreement on duties after the completion of US President Donald Trump’s meeting with the President of the Commission, Ursula von Der Layen. In international trade, any agreement is always better than any agreement and unilateral imposition of measures and countermeasures. The fact that it was agreed to impose a 15% general duty on all products including cars is an element that restores balance to American -European trade and seems to satisfy the two parties. However, the duties on steel and aluminum remain at 50%, and it is not clear whether pharmaceuticals and semiconductors will eventually be subject to separate duties. The agreement also stipulates that the EU will buy US military equipment and energy totaling $ 750 billion, while making significant investments of $ 600 billion. The European side is referring to a “all inclusive” trade agreement between the two major commercial partners that brings stability. Regardless of the details and exceptions, it is important that after months of negotiations, the agreement was reached in less than a week before the August 1st deadline and the imposition of higher duties that would have a serious impact. We want to believe that the agreement to impose duties at 15% is a manageable situation and we hope that it will not cause losses in the US and EU bilateral trade. “