BRUSSELS, Feb 3: The European Union criticised US President Donald Trump’s tariff imposed upon three countries, saying they disrupt global trade and are harmful to all, and vowing to hit back if targeted.
“The European Union (EU) regrets the US decision to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China,” an EU spokesman was quoted by local media.
He highlighted the importance of “open markets and respect for international trade rules,” saying they are essential for strong and sustainable economic growth. “Tariffs create unnecessary economic disruption and drive inflation. They are hurtful to all sides,” he added.
Referring to potential US tariffs on EU products, the spokesman said “the EU would respond firmly to any trading partner that unfairly or arbitrarily imposes tariffs on EU goods.”
“Our trade and investment relationship with the United States is the biggest in the world. There is a lot at stake,” he was quoted as saying.
Since Trump’s second term started, Brussels has been advocating that the two sides should work on strengthening the existing transatlantic relationships, and has dedicated efforts to avoiding a trade conflict with Washington through negotiation. However, Trump doubled down on his plan by saying he would “absolutely” impose tariffs on the EU goods last week.
On Saturday, Trump signed an executive order to impose a 10-per cent tariff hike on goods imported from China, and a 25-per cent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada. The move has drawn widespread opposition and immediate retaliations, Xinhua news agency reported.
In response, China’s Ministry of Commerce said Sunday that China will file a complaint at the World Trade Organisation and take corresponding countermeasures to firmly safeguard its rights and interests.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Saturday that Canada will impose a levy of 25 per cent on $21 billion worth of American goods as of Tuesday.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has instructed the Secretariat of Economy to implement tariff and non-tariff measures to defend Mexico’s interests.
Meanwhile, Denmark’s prime minister insisted on Monday that Greenland is not for sale and called for a robust response from her European Union partners should US President Donald Trump press ahead with his threat to take control of the island.
“I will never support the idea of fighting allies. But of course, if the US puts tough terms on Europe, we need a collective and robust response,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters in Brussels as EU leaders gathered for defense talks.
Greenland, home to a large US military base, is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a longtime US ally. Last month, Trump left open the possibility that the American military might be used to secure Greenland, as well as the Panama Canal. “We need Greenland for national security purposes,” he said.
Frederiksen said she has “great support” from her EU partners on the fact “that everybody has to respect the sovereignty of all national states in the world, and that Greenland is today a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. It’s part of our territory and it’s not for sale.” She acknowledged US concerns about security in the Arctic Region, where Russia and China have been increasingly active.
“I totally agree with the Americans that the High North, that the Arctic region is becoming more and more important when we are talking about defence and security and deterrence,” Frederiksen said, adding that the US and Denmark could have “stronger footprints” in Greenland, in security terms.
“They are already there and they can have more possibilities,” she said, underlining that Denmark itself can also “scale up” its security presence. “If this is about securing our part of the world, we can find a way forward,” Frederiksen said. (PTI/IANS)
