Donald Trump, who returns to the White House on Monday, threatened the Europeans with extremely aggressive customs duties. In particular, he expects the European Union to buy more American oil and gas and to reduce its trade surplus with the United States.
“If our interests are achieved, we will react”warned the head of French diplomacy Jean-Noël Barrot on Saturday, while the coming to power of Donald Trump in the United States heralds stormy commercial and diplomatic relations between Washington and the European Union. “Who has an interest in a trade war between the United States and Europe? The Americans have a trade deficit with us, but it is the exact opposite in terms of investments. Many American interests or companies are present in Europe”observed Jean-Noël Barrot in a daily interview West France .
“If we were to raise our tariffs, American interests in Europe would be the big losers. The same goes for the American middle classes who would see their purchasing power decline.he estimated. “If our interests are achieved, we will react with an iron will”further warned the head of French diplomacy. “Let everyone be aware that Europe has decided to ensure fairness in trade. If we notice abusive or unfair practices, we will respond”he added.
Customs duties and territorial threats
Donald Trump, who returns to the White House on Monday, threatened the Europeans with extremely aggressive customs duties. In particular, he expects the European Union to buy more American oil and gas and to reduce its trade surplus with the United States. The American billionaire also threatened to annex Greenland, a territory under the sovereignty of Denmark, a country of the European Union and member of the Atlantic Alliance.
-Faced with these thunderous declarations, the European Union has so far played it safe. “We take all this very seriously but there are good reasons not to add fuel to the fire”summed up a European diplomat at the beginning of January.
France
