France has pledged to respond to President Trump's new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, reigniting the transatlantic trade dispute. The French Foreign Minister has urged the EU to impose retaliatory tariffs, warning of a potential 'tariff war' between the U.S. and the EU.
France has vowed to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump 's new tariffs on metal imports into the United States, reviving the transatlantic trade dispute that took place during Trump's first term. The French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, called on the European Commission to launch its own round of tariffs against the U.S. in response to Trump's recent pledge to impose 25 percent duties on all steel and aluminum coming into the country.
Barrot stated, 'The time has come' for the EU to retaliate, emphasizing that the Commission had assured him of its readiness. Trump announced the new tariffs on Sunday while traveling to the Super Bowl in New Orleans, stating that 'everybody' would be affected. He had previously hinted at tariffs on the EU in response to long-term trade imbalances, claiming that the EU doesn't take American cars, farm products, or much else, while the U.S. takes almost everything from them.The U.S.'s largest trade deficit is with the EU after China, according to a recent report. In December, the overall trade balance reached a deficit of $98.4 billion. Trump pursued similar tariffs during his first term in 2018, imposing 25 percent duties on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports from the EU and other countries. The European Commission responded with 'rebalancing measures,' imposing retaliatory tariffs on 2.8 billion euros' worth of U.S. imports, including food and drinks. These measures were suspended during the Biden administration. Barrot emphasized that the EU would respond in the same way this time, stating, 'This is already what Donald Trump had done in 2018, and at the time we had replied, so this time we will reply again in the same way.'Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged against the tariff war, calling it 'totally unnecessary and stupid,' and highlighting the economic pressures from a long-standing ally amidst existing threats from Russia and China. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that the EU could respond 'in an hour' if Trump followed through with his threats. The European Commission released a statement condemning the tariffs as unlawful and economically counterproductive, arguing that they would raise costs for businesses, fuel inflation, and ultimately harm American citizens. Trump, however, defended his stance, stating that any steel or aluminum entering the U.S. will face a 25 percent tariff. Experts like Cecilia Malmström suggested that the transatlantic relationship is crucial but that the EU's best defense is a stronger economy capable of generating its own growth. Stéphane Dion, the Canadian ambassador to France, emphasized the need for closer economic ties between France, Europe, and Canada to offset any negative effects from American tariffs.Global steel and aluminum prices have yet to react to the new tariffs, which Trump stated would take effect on Monday. The EU could retaliate by targeting the U.S. tech sector using its anti-coercion instrument, which allows Brussels to impose tariffs and limit market access in response to coercive trade measures. The situation remains fluid, with potential for further escalation and negotiations between the two economic giants
TRADE WAR EU TARIFFS UNITED STATES FRANCE DONALD TRUMP METAL IMPORTS ECONOMIC RELATIONS
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