The United States should not "underestimate" Europe's readiness to hit back if planned 30% tariffs on EU goods take effect, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday, reported dpa.
The US government should know that Europe is ready to "to respond to excessively high customs burdens with similar measures," Merz said at a meeting with the Bavarian Cabinet on Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze.
Merz said that he is in close contact with US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The European Union is still hoping for a negotiated solution to the tariff dispute, the chancellor said.
"Our goal is and remains to quickly reach a solution that facilitates trade with the United States and provides for lower tariffs again," said Merz. "We now have until the end of July to conduct the negotiations."
Trump last week announced an August 1 deadline for negotiations. A 30% tariff on all EU goods would have enormous impacts on Germany's export-heavy economy.
Merz said he pushed for the EU's threatened counter-tariffs to be delayed after Trump's announcement. "Otherwise, it could have automatically happened yesterday."
Brussels has prepared a list of countermeasures to respond to Washington in case the tariffs take effect.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said on Monday that additional duties due to be placed on imports from the US are worth €72 billion.
- German Chancellor
- US
- Tariff dispute
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
