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The European Commission seeks to protect the trade agreement concluded by Ursula von der Lein and Donald Trump against the backdrop of growing criticism for his one -time nature, claiming that a temporary compromise is the most realistic opportunity to prevent a catastrophic duty.
“This is clearly the best agreement that we could achieve under very difficult circumstances,” said Maros Sepsovich, a European commissar commissar, at a press conference on Monday.
OR The agreement is announced It provides for the creation of 15% horizontal responsibility for the EU products intended for the US market. At the same time, most products in the USA intended for the EU market will benefit from zero or almost zero duties. Sensitive agricultural products, such as beef, bird and sugar, were excluded from the agreement.
Coefficient 15% lower than 30% coefficient This Trump threatened to impose a block in a letter sent by von der Leyen at the beginning of this month. It is also lower than the 20% rate, which he initially announced in April in the context of his conflicting “mutual duties”.
Nevertheless, it is much higher than the average rate of 4.8%, which is faced with EU export when they enter the US territory until Trump returned to the White House.
According to Sephovich, who was sitting next to von der Leyen during a Sunday meeting, Trump began negotiations, putting 30%back on the table. This led to two two sides until they reached a 15%threshold, which is used as “all inclusive” to prevent the accumulation of additional duties.
According to Sephovich, 30% Trump, 30%, would practically stop transit trade and would create an “unbearable” situation with the “much worse conditions” for negotiations.
“It is quite obvious that the world that existed before April 2 is lost. And we just have to adapt, we must encounter problems arising from this new approach, ”the commissioner said. “And I believe that strategic cooperation with our strategic partner is the best result than a complete trade war.”
‘Between the plague and cholera’
The version of the event on events has not yet been able to suppress the main discontent.
An intensive difference between a 15% rate imposed on most of the EU goods, and a 0% factor used by most US goods, caused the impression of asymmetric regulation, which contributes to the interests of Trump due to the interests of the block.
He promotes to spend $ 700 billion in energy in the United States and invest $ 600 billion in the US economy, until the rest of Trump’s second term has simply increased the impression of the winning agreement. (Obligations are indicative, not legally binding).
Bernd Lange, German affairs, Member, chaired by the European Parliament committee on commerce and regularly communicates with Sefkovich, left no doubt about his dissatisfaction.
“My first rating is not satisfactory. This is an unambiguous agreement. There were clear concessions that are difficult to accept, ”said Lange on social networks.
Kathleen Van Brant, who is one of the vice presidents of the commission, was more caustic, warning that the transaction would make the block more “dependent” on the fuel of the United States and ultimately “turn boomerang” against the declared goal of strategic autonomy.
“The main problem remains that Trump’s duties are illegal and violate almost all existing commercial rules,” he wrote in statement her. “The simple recognition that European products will be imported in the amount of 15% (…) means that we essentially agree with these illegal, forced duties.
“The avoidance of a heavier 30% of duties will undoubtedly be a relief,” he added. “But this remains an option between the plague and the cholera.”
Donamenening “heavy price”, paid, Valerie Hay, president of the Renew Europe liberal group, said that the agreed conditions will lead to a “huge imbalance” between the two sides, and Terry Radke and Terry Radke Trump ”.
“This is not a way to do work,” he said.
Even the Party von der Lane, the Central European People’s Party (EPP), was not satisfied with the result, describing 15% “Evil violation of the WTO authorities and a serious blow to European industrial competitiveness.”
“Dark Day”
The EU leaders were wonderful warm in their initial reactions, welcoming the agreement as an anchor “stability”, but expressing sadness about the continuation of punitive duties.
“This is a moment of relief, but not a celebration. Responsibilities will increase in various sectors, and some of the main problems remain unresolved, ”said the Prime Minister of Belgium Bart De Weaver.
His Dutch colleague, Dick, said that “no duties will be better,” while Irish Michael Martin, whose country largely depends on the American market, predicted that trade would become “more expensive” and “more complex”.
Pedro Sanchez from Spain was clearly apathetic. “In any case, I support this trading agreement, but I do it without any excitement,” he said.
In France, Prime Minister Bireru Designed The deal as a “rainy day” “subordination”.
Comments expose a feeling of disappointment and disappointment that has stunned the EU since the beginning of the second term of Trump. The Republican overcame the decades of transatlantic authorities in order to promote his agenda “First America”, overcoming the Western consensus regarding trade, technology, climate and defense.
At the press conference, Sephovich said that geopolitics played a role in balancing the committee on the eve of the individual meeting in Scotland.
“This is not only about trade. This is about security. This is Ukraine. This is the current geopolitical instability, ”he said. “I think now. We can only go for the best. ”
In private, the committee officials admit that the 15% rate is not “great” and hopes that Washington considers responsibilities as a ceiling to prevent escalation along this path. But Peter Chase, the senior partner of the German Marshall Foundation, says that Brussels should do something better than considering things, from a well -known unstable nature of Trump.
“Unfortunately,” said Chase, “the EU President and others who believe that the EU concessions have acquired stability for European enterprises, unfortunately, they found that a person who has reduced the United States in accordance with international law is very likely.