Donald Trump poses a veiled threat to the WTO after the EU's warning on auto tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump warned the World Trade Organization on Monday that "we will do something" if the US is not treated properly, just hours after the European Union said that US auto rates would harm his own automotive sector and provoke retaliation. 19659003] Trump, addressing reporters during a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the White House, said: "The WTO has treated the US very badly and I am Hope that they will change lanes. "

after the Axios news site reported that the Trump administration drafted a bill that would allow Trump to raise tariffs as it pleased and negotiate special rates with specific countries – two fundamental violations of the rules of the WTO.

l & # 39; WTO. And we are not planning anything now, but if they do not treat us properly, we'll do something, "Trump said without specifying.

Last week, a source close to Trump's thought told Reuters President White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Monday that Trump was seeking to solve global trade problems, not to leave the trade organization that has been the basis of the global trading system

"Right now, he would like the system to be repaired, and that's what he's focusing on," said Sanders. he has concerns, that there are a number of aspects that he does not believe are right. And China and other countries have used the WTO to their advantage. We focus on repairing the system. "

In his meeting with Rutte, Trump also said that his administration would meet with EU officials to" work on something "on trade." The United States has imposed tariffs on European imports of steel and aluminum and lead another study on national security that could lead to tariffs on automobiles and auto parts.

– We will meet them soon enough, says Trump. "They want to see if they can work on something, and it will be good, and if we work, it will be positive, and if we do not do it, it will be positive too, because we're not doing it. I'm just thinking about cars coming here, and we'll do something, is not it?

A spokesperson for the US Trade Representative's office could not be contacted immediately for details of these discussions.

The EU on Friday presented comments warning the US Department of Commerce that US import duties on cars and auto parts were unjustifiable and would harm the US auto industry and would entail probably countermeasures of its trading partners for 294 billion USD of US exports. The ministry launched its investigation, for reasons of national security, on May 23, under the orders of Trump, who has often complained that the EU car rate was four times higher than that of the EU. United States. Trump said last week that the government would soon complete its study and suggested that the United States would act, having already threatened to impose a 20 percent tariff on all cars badembled by the EU.

The European Commission, EU Monday, he tried to convince his American counterparts that the imposition of such tariffs would be a mistake. "19659003" We will spare no effort, whether at the technical or political level, for the spokesman of the commission told the press that President Jean-Claude Juncker's trip to Washington at the end of the month would aim to put an end to the new US tariffs.

The EU exported 37.4 billion euros of cars to the United States in 2017, while 6.2 billion euros of cars went in the other direction . According to the EU, EU companies manufacture nearly 2.9 million cars in the United States, supporting 120,000 jobs, or 420,000 if one includes car dealers and dealers. automotive parts dealers

. he said and had grown largely with the overall expansion of the US auto market, with increased demand that could not be met by domestic production.

According to the submission, tariffs on cars and auto parts could weaken US auto production. American manufacturers. The EU has calculated that a tariff of 25% would have an initial negative impact of $ 13 to $ 14 billion on the US gross domestic product without improving the country's current account balance.

The trade group representing the Detroit automakers. and Fiat Chrysler, also warned the Commerce Department that a 25% import tariff on autos and parts would result in a new total tax expense of $ 90 billion a year, combined with the company's tariffs. Steel and aluminum. "Imposing tariffs will increase costs for consumers, decrease consumer choice, reduce consumer demand, reduce production and sales of cars and light trucks, reduce investment and result in job losses in the economy." American automotive sector ". Policy Council, said in a statement.