– We offered zero duties to industrial goods, just like We did it successfully with many other trading partners. Because Europe is always ready for a good deal. So we keep [ofertę] On the table – she said at a press conference together with Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahrem Store.
The United States and the European Union were close to the abolition of industrial duties a decade ago During the discussion about TTIP – a transatlantic partnership in the field of trade and investment – which was ultimately rejected by Trump in his first term.
The abolition of duties on industrial products, such as cars and chemicals, was not perceived as controversial – Agricultural products and safety standards were a much hotter topic.
The re-offer von der Leyen appeared after Trump imposed 20 % duties on the EU and many other trading partners last weekraising the US trade barriers to the highest level for over a century.
Trump's trade war caused panic among investors, and financial markets around the world have lost a trillion value of dollars or euros. European actions recorded on Monday The largest one-day declines from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the market turmoil, von der Leyen tried to remain calm. “We're ready to negotiate with the USA,” she said.
“We are also prepared for reaction through remedies”
The EU imposes average duties in the amount of only 1.6 percent. on American non -agricultural products. However, he imposes a higher, 10 % duties on imported American cars-although The USA is the only G7 country that still pays them because TTIP has not been concluded.
Maros Sefcovic, Commissioner for Trade, explained that the “zero for zero” contract may include Cars and all other industrial goodssuch as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, gum and plastic machines.
Von der Leyen also did not rule out retaliation: “We are also prepared for reaction through remedies and defense of our interests,” she said.
27 EU trade ministers met on Monday in Luxembourg to discuss the American funds and response of the Commission. It is expected that This week, the EU will take retaliation against the 25 % Trump's 25 % on steel and aluminum that have been in force since last month. Sefcovic, talking to journalists after meeting in Luxembourg, said that the commission had prepared a “solid list”.
