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Donald Trump and European Chief Executive Jean-Claude Juncker strove on Wednesday to defuse the crisis created by Washington's tariffs, announcing a series of decisions in agriculture, industry and energy the exact scope remains to be confirmed
After a meeting of more than two hours, the two leaders spoke together in front of the press from the gardens of the White House.
Speaking of a "big day" for free trade and evoking a "new phase" in relations between the United States and the European Union, the US president has highlighted their common desire to go to term "zero tariffs" "In their industrial exchanges, with the exception of the automotive sector."
He also badured that the EU would start "almost immediately" to buy "a lot of soybeans" from American producers, and promised to review the question of US Customs on European steel and aluminum, which set fire to powders.
European source says no new tariff will be imposed on imports of European cars into the United States, a particular case Germany, where this key sector employs some 800,000 people.
"We have reached an agreement today," said Juncker, who had stressed, at the beginning of the head-to-head in the Oval Office that the United States and the EU, which account for half of world trade, were "close partners", "allies", not "enemies."
Qualified by Mr. Trump of "very smart" man but also "very hard", the European leader evoked "a strengthening of cooperation on energy."
A few hours earlier, since Johannesburg, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a warning to his American counterpart, stressing that it sounds "winner" of a trade war.
Proof of turmoil related to the US president's standoff: his administration has just announced $ 12 billion in emergency aid for farmers affected by Washington's tariff retaliation against China, the European Union and Canada
– "Not the right answer" –
Known for his outspokenness – and humor – Mr. Juncker said that Mr. Trump told him, on the occasion of the last G7: "Jean-Claude, you are a brutal killer". "I think he said that as a compliment but I'm not sure …"
As a warning shortly before the meeting, Cecilia Malmström, the Commissioner European Trade Union, had mentioned in the Swedish press "a long list of American products" that could be targeted for a total amount of $ 20 billion.
On the eve of the meeting, the tenant of the White House had once again denounced the attitude of Europe, to which he has reserved for several months his sharpest arrows.
"What the European Union is doing to us is incredible (…) They look nice, but they are tough, "he said from Kansas City, Missouri, promising to vigorously defend the interests of America in his meeting with the President of the European Commission.
Rejoicing, on the willingly provocative tone he likes, that the countries covered by the tariffs of "all come to Washington to negotiate," Donald Trump insists that his strategy will not bear fruit and that "the end result will be worth it."
But the approach is far from unanimous in the camp Republican, traditionally in favor of free trade.
"I do not think tariffs are the right answer," Republican House Leader Paul Ryan said Tuesday.
The latter is from of Wisconsin, home state of Harley-Davidson headquarters. The famous motorcycle builder has warned that the trade war between the United States and its partners will trim its margins in 2018.
Like him, many elected officials of the "Grand Old Party" are worried about the possible impact of the presidential crusade on the mid-term elections scheduled for November
A few hours before his meeting with Mr. Juncker, the American president had denounced these "weak politicians" who want to put an end to the tussle. "What do they imagine, are we just going to keep our farmers ripped off?" "No weakness!", He said.
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