The EU Commission has criticized the mutual tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump. They are “a step in the wrong direction,” said a message from the Commission. The EU has some of the slightest tariffs in the world, which is why there is no reason for increased US tariffs. The United States would only tax its own population, increase costs for companies and heat inflation.
Trump had signed an arrangement on Thursday, according to which tariffs are to be raised wherever the United States is currently demanding less than its trading partners. A high-ranking Trump consultant emphasized that this does not matter whether it is strategic competitors such as China or allies such as the European Union, Japan or Korea. The Commission announced that they “determined and immediately” to react to unjustified obstacles to free and fair trade.
So far, however, the US tariffs have not yet come into force. Instead, the responsible authorities have 180 days to identify the affected states and, on this basis, impose country -specific tariffs, according to the consultant. The countries concerned are invited to negotiate with US President Trump in order to avert the US tariffs.