The European Commission responded on Tuesday In strong German criticism On the US trade agreement, saying that it was concluded after the “clear message” by the member states that it was what they wanted.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbail has condemned the EU-US trade agreement last month as “weak” before a trip to Washington, Politico reports.

“I have to admit that we were quite surprised when we heard this statement from the German minister,” all -commerce spokesman, a spokesman for the trade, told reporters.

EU countries, Gil added, “They insisted that only one solution after negotiation could ensure stability and protect our common interests. This was the view of the overwhelming majority of EU Member States’, including Germany.

A committee official, who did not want to speak anonymously, said that “only a small minority” of countries wanted to risk a trade war with the US. “Member States pushed for this result.”

Klingbil is in Washington to meet with US Finance Minister Scott Besed. Prior to the visit, the German minister said of the trade agreement: “I think we were very weak and we cannot be satisfied with the result achieved.”

The deal sets out a 15% basic duty on EU imports to the US. The EU will not hurt US exports by new fees, and has agreed to reduce duties to US cars to zero.

However, steel and aluminum are not included in the agreement, facing a 50%separate duty. While the EU has stated that the two sides have agreed to negotiate new quotas on the basis of commercial flow history, the US has not mentioned it.

Klingbil said he wants to see if the US is willing to negotiate for steel and aluminum, although such talks are being held by the European Commission and not by the Bloc member states.

“There is a debate on rating regulations on steel,” Klingbil told Deutschlandfunk on Monday. “It would be good if they existed. I will, of course, try to see what steps is willing to take the US government. “

The European Commission regularly informs the 27 countries through their ambassadors in Brussels on the progress of trade talks, and extraordinary meetings of the Ministers of Commerce are also held. However, it is not uncommon for politicians to publicly criticize the Commission inside, while their representatives in Brussels support the wider unity.