Washington Threatens to Take “Tough Measures” in Trade Conflict with Brussels

If the EU does not resume the dialogue on the trade agreement, the U.S. will take “serious economic steps”, Trump said, without specifying the ones. U.S. President Donald Trump said that Washington will take tough measures if Brussels does not continue negotiations on the terms of bilateral free trade. “If they do not talk to us, we will take far-reaching steps”, Trump said, speaking on Thursday, March 14, in Washington  after the meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. The U.S. President did not specify the steps to be acheived. According to Trump, the European Union, the United States is very unfairly treated in matters of trade. European Parliament Resolution on the start of negotiations with the U.S. Earlier that day, MEPs by a majority vote opposed the resumption of negotiations with the United States on free trade. Despite the fact that this resolution of the European Parliament is not binding, observers understand it as a symbolic gesture demonstrating the mood of the EU member States on this matter. Trade between the EU and the United States Before Trump’s election, the European Union and the U.S. were close to concluding Free Trade agreements, but the talks were frozen shortly after the election, even before Trump took office. Currently, Brussels intends to initiate a dialogue with Washington on the terms of trade in industrial goods to avoid the introduction of U.S. customs duties on European cars and auto spare parts. However, the European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström has not yet received a mandate from representatives of EU member States to negotiate. Source: DW