Threatening War: Merz advertises in Trump for radical customs reduction: zero best

The new Chancellor Friedrich Merz promoted US President Donald Trump to abolish all tariffs between the United States and the EU. “In my view, I told him that this is not a good idea to escalate this customs dispute. The best solution would be down to zero for everything and for everyone,” said the CDU politician on the sidelines of his inaugural visit to the EU in Brussels. Trump invited him to come to Washington, and they would talk to each other about this question in the near future.

“My impression is that in America the discussion about the adverse effects of the high tariffs for your own economy is now beginning, and of course he perceives it,” said Merz.

From the point of view of the new Chancellor, you should also talk about technological standards between the EU and the USA. Mutual recognition of technological standards is usually at least as important as the question of how highly smaller or larger tariffs are, said Merz. At the customs height he confirmed: “My firm conviction is: zero is best.”

Merz also reported that he had explained Trump that there could be no bilateral agreements with Germany or other EU countries because one could only and want to act together in trade policy. “I had the impression that he accepted that this is also his view, that he can only do it with us,” said Merz. He told the Republican that he was also closely coordinated with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

A few weeks ago, Trump started a trade conflict with the announcement of new tariffs on imports from the EU. The US President wants to correct alleged trade weights with the tariffs and shift productions to the United States. At the same time, customs revenues should serve to at least partially counter its expensive election promise of large tax cuts. The EU, on the other hand, sees the tariff as not justified and incompatible with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The EU therefore wants to try to persuade the United States to change course in negotiations. After great turbulence on the stock and financial markets, Trump had surprisingly decided to grant a break from certain tariffs for 90 days. This time window is to be used for negotiations. The EU emphasizes that it will introduce decisive measures against US tariffs if negotiations fail. This should include against tariffs.

Von der Leyen: work intensively on negotiating solution

From the Leyen at a press conference with Merz said: “We are ready to abolish the tariffs to industrial goods.” You work intensively on a negotiated solution in the customs dispute – a solution that is balanced, fair, mutually advantageous and strengthen both sides of the Atlantic. But if the negotiations fail, they will act.

The EU Commission President referred to the new list of US export goods presented on Thursday, which could be raised in the event of cases. It includes US imports in the EU worth around 95 billion euros.

The Leyen did not want to comment on the current state of talks with the USA. “Nothing is negotiated before not everything is negotiated,” she said. It contradicts the simple rules of negotiations if you go into details in between that have not yet been fully agreed as part of the overall package.