Headline: European Commission Responds to President Trump’s Trade Policy Proposal
BRUSSELS, Belgium – The European Commission has expressed serious concerns regarding President Trump’s recently announced “reciprocal” trade policy, describing it as a regressive move in global trade dynamics. The EU continues to advocate for an open and predictable global trading system that benefits all parties involved.
The EU emphasizes that it maintains some of the lowest tariffs globally, stating that there is no justification for increased US tariffs on EU exports. Such tariffs act as taxes that burden consumers, escalate business expenses, hinder economic growth, and contribute to inflation. These measures introduce economic uncertainty and disrupt the efficiency of global markets.
Stable world trade relies on predictable and transparent rules coupled with low tariffs. For decades, the EU has collaborated with trading partners, including the US, to diminish tariffs and eliminate trade barriers on a global scale, commitments that are now at risk of being undermined according to EU officials.
The EU stands as one of the world’s most open economies, with over 70 percent of imports entering at zero tariff. The EU maintains an impressively low average applied tariff on imported goods, a critical factor in its ongoing economic success and integration.
Believing in mutually beneficial and balanced trade partnerships, the EU is committed to transparency and fairness in trade. It boasts the largest and fastest-growing network of trade agreements globally, having negotiated over three times as many agreements as the US.
The EU is prepared to respond decisively and without delay to any unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are imposed to challenge established legal and non-discriminatory policies. Protecting European businesses, workers, and consumers from unwarranted tariff measures remains a top priority for the EU.
