All united against the threat of trade tariffs. Two weeks after taking office, US President Donald Trump has managed to unite the leaders of the European Union countries : in the informal meeting in Brussels, the 27 heads of state and government "underlined the value of the EU-US partnership, which has deep roots and is destined to last over time," a European source said. "And they agreed that when problems arise, solutions should be found."
Around the table "there was a strong consensus that tariffs between the US and the EU would be harmful for both sides" . At the entrance this morning, the High Representative for Foreign Policy, Estonian Kaja Kallas , had stressed "that there are no winners in trade wars" and that "if the United States starts a trade war, the only one laughing will be China".
Even more blunt was French President Emmanuel Macron: "If we are attacked on trade issues, Europe will have to make itself respected and then react." For German Chancellor Olaf Scholz , "as a strong economic area, we can manage our affairs and respond to tariff policies with other tariff policies" even if "the perspective and the objective should be to proceed in such a way as to arrive at cooperation." Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk shared the same opinion: "I think we must do everything to avoid this totally useless and stupid trade war. But at the same time we must maintain our possible discussions with our American friends."
On the eastern shore of the Atlantic, therefore, dialogue is being sought to reach a solution. Although, from Washington, it seems that Trump is considering the idea of imposing 10 percent duties on products imported from the European Union. The Telegraph reports this, citing a source close to the administration. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is looking for an ally in Brussels. According to a European source, Trudeau had a call last night with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, to inform him of Canada's reaction to Trump's decision to impose 25 percent duties on Canada and Mexico.
“Both leaders underlined the importance of EU-Canada bilateral relations and confirmed their determination to continue working together in all aspects of cooperation in terms of people-to-people relations, trade and investment,” the source said.
It was Trump himself who picked up the phone today. After speaking with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the White House tenant confirmed an “immediate pause” of one month on the 25% customs duties, which were due to come into force tomorrow, against his southern neighbor. Both Trump and Sheinbaum described the call positively - “very cordial” for the former, “profitable” for the latter - and the tycoon specified that during the 30 days of pause, negotiations will take place to reach an “agreement” with Mexico.
For now, on the table are Mexico City's commitments to reinforce the border between the two countries with 10,000 National Guard agents to fight drug trafficking from south to north, and Washington's commitments to work to prevent arms trafficking from north to south. Finally, the next few hours will be those of the phone call with Trudeau.
"I just spoke to Justin Trudeau," Trump wrote on Truth in the American morning (early European afternoon), reiterating that the duties on the neighboring state are intended to slow the arrival of drugs in the US . "I will speak to him again at 3 pm" (9 pm European time), he added. A time when - according to the agenda - the 27 EU leaders will still be meeting. Trump's intention is to have a meeting with China in the next 24 hours.
(Online Union)
