Trump says EU auto tariffs never off the table

Criticises the European bloc for its use of trade barriers


Reuters August 04, 2019
US President Donald Trump. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Friday blasted the European Union for its use of trade barriers and revived his threat to impose tariffs on European automobiles if he does not see progress in stalled negotiations between the longstanding partners.

Trump made the comments shortly after signing a deal to sell more US beef to Europe, an event at which he startled participants by joking that his administration was working “on a 25% tariff on all Mercedes-Benz and BMWs coming into our nation”.

“The EU has tremendous barriers to us,” Trump told reporters later at the White House. “They’re very, very difficult.” Trump said the threat of auto tariffs may have helped move the EU towards accepting the beef deal, but auto tariffs remain an option.

“Auto tariffs are never off the table,” Trump said. “If I don’t get what we want, I’ll put auto tariffs. ... If I don’t get what I want, I’ll have no choice but maybe to do that. But so far they’ve been very good.”

EU officials have said they are eager to work with the United States to reform the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and rein in China’s behaviour on world markets, but would retaliate if Washington makes good on its threat to raise car tariffs.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2019.

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