European Commissioner for Economic Trade and Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, Maros Sefcovic. Photo: Jean-Christophe Verhaegen / AFP / Profimedia
The European Union envisages to grow 50 billion euros in the acquisition of American products to solve the “issue” of its commercial relations with Washington, explained the European Trade Commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, in an interview with the Financial Times, quoted by AFP.
“If we consider the deficit to 50 billion euros, I think we can truly (…) solve this problem very quickly through GNL (natural gas) purchases or certain agricultural products,” said SEFCOVIC in this interview online on Thursday.
The EU is in the middle of negotiations with the US administration to get the customs duties imposed by Donald Trump.
American survey 25% for cars, aluminum and steel have already entered into force, as well as a 10% customs surcharge for all other products.
Donald Trump accuses Europe of maintaining a huge commercial deficit with the United States, which it estimates at several hundred billion dollars. But, according to the EU, this deficit is actually limited to 50 billion euros, if the services are taken into account.
Asked if he would accept a 10% fee as a minimum threshold in commercial negotiations, Sefcovic assured that the EU considers this a 'very high level', suggesting that the EU would not be satisfied with an agreement to maintain customs duties at this level.
It will be 'very difficult' to reach an agreement that is clearly good and acceptable to our Member States and our European Parliament, ”added Sefcovic.
Commercial negotiations are the competence of the European Commission. Once an agreement is reached, it must be approved by all 27 Member States and ratified by the European Parliament (AGERPRES)
