The member States of the European Union have agreed, apparently, with the U.S. government in trade talks. A majority of the member countries will decide on the next Monday, the negotiating mandate for the EU trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. The Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported, citing multiple sources.
the Primary objective of the talks is to prevent U.S. special duties on European cars. US President, Trump has threatened repeatedly that he was going to introduce special duties on European cars, you should block the rules of the EU talks on a new trade.
“If we make a Deal, then it comes to the duties”, said Trump in February. Previously, he had submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce a report, according to which car imports from Europe represent a danger for the national security of the United States. This assessment allows Trump, in a period of 90 days, special duties, such time limit expires in the middle of may.
The trade dispute with the USA was triggered by the introduction of U.S. special duties on steel and aluminum imports. In response, the EU had introduced in turn retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products. Last July, US President, Donald Trump, and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker agreed that both sides should come together to discuss the abolition of customs duties on industrial goods, as well as a closer cooperation in the area of regulation, for example, for the pharmaceutical industry.
automotive industry is afraid of US special duties
For the trade policy of the EU, the EU Commission is responsible. To close new agreements, it is dependent, however, on the mandate of the member countries. The trade Commissioner of the EU, Malmström, had actually hoped to receive the mandate in January. Some States, including France and Belgium, had blocked a unanimous decision but, as of yet.
The French government had repeatedly pointed out that the EU had made threats. A decision on the mandate for Malmström, there should be from the Paris point of view, therefore, until after the European elections. Both in France and in Belgium, there are relatively many free-trade of critical voices in the population. The governments fear that a consent to negotiations could lead to a Vote in the European elections in may.
That other countries want to adopt the mandate for Malmström now, if necessary, by a qualified majority, is justified by the possible negative consequences of the new US-could have special duties. Of these, especially German manufacturers would be affected.
the US is currently The single most important market for Germany’s export companies. The United States should take the special duties of up to 25 percent on imports from the EU will impose, could halve German car exports to the United States in the long term. This last had charged Economists from the ifo Institute. Countries such as Germany or Sweden, to be feared, therefore, that thousands of jobs could be lost in the auto industry.
“We want to reduce the duties to zero”
Federal Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) welcomed the understanding and language of a breakthrough in Brussels. Altmaier told the Passauer Neue Presse that it had unanimously adopted an EU negotiating offer for the USA for the reduction of industrial tariffs decided: “Now we can enter into concrete negotiations.” This will not be easy, but Europe standing together: “We want to set the tariffs to zero. This lowers prices for consumers, creates growth and sustain jobs.”
“is The potential for revitalising Euro-American free-trade efforts, a good message,” said the FDP parliamentary group Deputy Michael Theurer. There is a need for a new start for TRANS-Atlantic partnership. The “spiral of protectionism” urgently needs to be broken.
exactly when the trade talks with the United States will begin, was initially unclear. From the EU Commission, it was said, however, after the formal decision at the next Monday, everything could go very quickly. There are only a few planning questions to resolve.
