The EU countries are dominated by the belief that the Union is too large and important for the USA to conclude an unbalanced trade agreement – said the deputy head of the Ministry of Development Michał Baranowski after the meeting of trade ministers. The negotiations from the USA, Commissioner Marosz Błyczovicz pointed out that their result must be honest.
Ministers from the EU countries responsible for trade discussed during the meeting on Thursday in Brussels talks with the United States.
Depressed bosses announced that “what we would sign (from the USA – PAP) should not only fix the current situation, but also put the foundation for further development.” He emphasized that retaliation is not the first EU choice, but they must be prepared, because “maintaining the current imbalance in trade with the US is still not an option.”
The EC proposed to impose retaliation duties on goods imported from the US worth EUR 95 billion if the US does not conclude an agreement with the EU. At the same time, in connection with the US suspension for 90 days, the so -called of mutual duties, it was decided to postpone the duties of goods in the amount of EUR 22 billion. Although American mutual tariffs are suspended, duties on steel, aluminum and the EU automotive sector are in force.
In Baranowski's opinion, the approach of countries is dominated by the belief that the EU is too great and too important for the US to have an unbalanced trade agreement. In this way he referred to the statement of the Swedish Minister Benjamin Dousa, who stated that he would not be happy if the EU was to sign an agreement with the USA similar to what United States had just concluded with Great Britain. Dousa believes that “this can not even be called a free trade agreement.”
The deputy minister of development is of the opinion that from the moment the so -called Mutual duties through the USA for 90 days between the two parties there was “understanding”. “I always say that two are needed for tango and I think we have these two now,” Baranowski pointed out.
The bosses reminded that Americans are negotiating the issue of deficit in the trading of EU goods, but – as the Commissioner added – he draws attention to the Americans to the deficit in EU services. “We are also talking about matters in world trade that we are able to solve together,” he said. For example, it is about overproduction of steel, dependence on critical raw materials or the development of AI.
When asked if the EU and the US are planning to hit the PRC jointly, the bosses said that China is not the only country contributing to the surplus of steel.
“On the other hand, would our steel, American and European sectors benefit if we did not hit each other's customs duties? For sure, because we are not a problem for each other. In addition, we export steel to the USA, which is used only for a really highly specialized production” – noted the Commissioner. Similarly – in his opinion – it is with the production of semiconductors.
The bosses noticed that the number of countries interested in signing the contract with the EU is growing in the world, because it is stable and predictable. The EC conducts negotiations with India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.
The Commissioner said that it is also important to ratify contracts already concluded by member states, such as CETA with Canada or investment protection agreements with Singapore and Vietnam.
When asked about a contract with the block of South American countries, Mercosur, he replied that this agreement is four times greater than a free trade agreement with Japan. “I think that it is now perceived with new understanding and sensitivity,” the Commissioner for Trade noted.
“We must be sure that we have our citizens on board, that they are for free trade, because we do not want to lose one, two or three member states or some of our societies as a result of one contract,” said Baranowski, when asked for Poland's consent to a contract with Mercosur.
From Brussels Magdalena Cedro (PAP)
Mce/ AP/ AMAC/
