To negotiate with the Donald Trump government, The European Commission of the European Union (EU) announced on Thursday that it postpones until mid -April the countermeasures in response to US tariffs European Imports Tax of Aluminum and Steel.
“The commission has decided Align the calendar of the two EU countermeasures series Against American tariffs 232 about steel and aluminum of the union, ”announced the community spokesman Olof Gill.
“By aligning the calendars, the Commission simultaneously consults the Member States on both lists. This provides additional time for discussions with US administration”, Explained the spokesman.
Days before, the European Union announced that it would seek to reduce the Import of steel and that’s why it would cut additional 15% from April, A measure aimed at preventing cheap steel from flooding the European market after Washington imposed new tariffs.
Gill He claimed EU’s counterme about “to” give a firm, proportionate, solid and well calibrated “response to US measures,”at the same time minimizing the possible negative impact in EU producers and consumers ”.
The steel conflict between the US and the EU
European steel producers, who already face high energy prices and the competition of Asia and other places, warn that The EU runs the risk of becoming the destination of cheap steel diverted from the US marketwhich could lead to the closure of European plants.
“At a time when no one respects the norms of the World Trade Organization and everyone talks about national security, (…) The EU cannot be the only continent that lets its industry crumble“The executive vice president of the European Commission told Reuters, Stéphane Séjourné.
Since the US market now made less commercial sense after the 25% tariff in force imposed by the government of President Donald Trump, Séjourné predicted that the producers of Canada, India and China would seek to sell increasing volumes in Europe.
Source: Ambito
