Brussels – Return to the agreement reached in Scotland at the end of July by the presidents of the United States of America, Donald Trump, and the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. That is, the agreement which provides for a comprehensive 15 per cent tariff. This is the message that the European Commissioner for Trade, Maros Šefčovič, conveyed to Ambassador Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative. The face-to-face meeting took place in Paris and, as explained by a European Commission spokesperson, it was “an in-depth discussion lasting an hour and a half, on the most pressing aspects of the EU-US joint statement.”
“It is useful and important to engage in dialogue as often as possible to clarify each party’s position in the process of implementing the agreement,” the EU executive’s spokesperson commented. In this context, “Commissioner Šefčovič updated Ambassador Greer on the upcoming trilogue and the most likely timeline for its conclusion, while respecting the prerogatives of the co-legislators.” However, “at the same time, called for a swift return to the conditions agreed at Turnberry, namely an all-inclusive tariff rate of 15 per cent, with the derogations provided for the EU,” the spokesperson emphasised. Furthermore: “It would be desirable for the main points of the agreement to be finalised before its first anniversary.”
In response to the White House occupant’s threats to raise tariffs on EU-made cars to 25 per cent, the EU responded by reaffirming its commitment to the agreement reached last July and to the commitments set out in writing, while also noting, at the same time, that “all options are on the table.” This was a point also emphasised this morning (5 May) by von der Leyen in Yerevan, Armenia. The President of the European Commission had not commented on the US President’s latest remarks on 1 May. However, answering questions during the press conference at the end of the first EU-Armenia summit, von der Leyen made it clear that the EU is “prepared for any scenario” regarding the new tariffs threatened by the tycoon. “An agreement is an agreement, and we have an agreement. The essence of this agreement is prosperity, common rules, and reliability,” she pointed out. “We are now both implementing this agreement, respecting the various democratic procedures we have on both sides. On the part of the European Union, we are now in the final stages of implementing the remaining tariff commitments,” she noted. “So, from this work, we want mutual benefits, cooperation, and reliability, and we are prepared for any scenario,” von der Leyen emphasised.
Meanwhile, following today’s meeting between Šefčovič and Greer, the Commission has stated that “both sides agreed to step up dialogue at both the political and technical levels, committing themselves with greater determination to a positive agenda, such as regional cooperation measures and the removal of barriers to steel exports.” Therefore, “work is continuing and the Commission will remain fully committed to making progress on all key fronts,” the spokesperson clarified.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
