Agreement with the USA
Donald Trump and Europe agree in the customs dispute
Donald Trump had given the customs dispute talks a Fifty Fifty chance of an agreement. Ursula von der Leyen was more confident. Now there is a deal.
The EU and the United States have agreed on a fundamental agreement to defuse the customs conflict that has been going on for months. This was learned by the German press agency from EU circles after a top conversation by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump in Scotland.
Before the meeting, this emerged before the meeting between EU diplomat with US Minister of Trade Howard Lutnick on Saturday evening.
From EU circles it was said that an agreement with US import duties in the amount of 15 percent and numerous exceptions were possible. The present agreement therefore provided for exceptions for important sectors such as aircraft, wood and spirits – with the exception of wine. In return, the EU must commit itself to buy more US liquid gas (LNG) and promise investments.
The talks on Saturday evening were “at times very controversial”, the “Financial Times” reported. Accordingly, questions about tariffs about medication and pharmaceutical products were still open.
EU Commission President in the customs dispute confidently
In the struggle for an agreement in the customs conflict, the Leyen met with Trump in Scotland on Sunday afternoon in the name of the EU member states to discuss transatlantic trade relationships. Trump had previously spoken of a “50 to 50 chance, maybe even less”, to reach an agreement with the EU. If an agreement is made, “would that be the biggest deal of all”.
EU Commission President of the Leyen, in turn, said on Thursday that an agreement was “within reach”. The EU Commission had worked intensively for a trade agreement with the United States to secure trade relationships worth $ 1.9 trillion annually.
Trump had sparked a customs conflict with trading partners all over the world at the beginning of April. He last threatened the EU with tariffs of 30 percent, which should come into force on August 1, if there is no agreement before. An increased customs duty of 25 percent already applies to cars, and surcharges of 50 percent are due for steel and aluminum products. So far, medication and pharmaceutical products have been excluded.
Note: This post has been updated.
AFP
CL
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
