Trump and Juncker seem kind to meeting to avoid trade war | American News

Donald Trump began trade talks with senior European Union officials in the White House, suggesting that the United States would be "happy" if all tariffs, barriers and subsidies were removed.

alongside Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, who hopes to persuade him not to impose prohibitive tariffs on car imports and risk a total trade war.

Trump and Juncker seem cordial. Trump told reporters: "We want a fair trade deal and we are looking to have a fair trade deal and hope we can fix something."

"Over the years, the United States has lost hundreds of billions of dollars with the European Union and we just want it to be a playground for our farmers, for our manufacturers, for all of us. world, and we also want a big beneficiary frankly the European Union, so we think it can be good for everyone and that's what we're here to discuss. "

Juncker replied: "We are close partners, allies, not enemies, we have to work together, we represent half of world trade … We should talk about reducing tariffs, not increasing "That's what we have to do."

With a bust of Winston Churchill looking over his shoulder, Trump said he was in agreement. "If we could not have tariffs and no barriers and no subsidies, the United States would be extremely happy … We want reciprocity, so whether it's with the European Union or with Others, it must be at least reciprocal, we are working on it and I think we are making tremendous progress. "

He ignored the shouted media questions before the talks with Juncker.

A few hours before Wednesday's meeting, an ultimate effort to avoid a full-fledged transatlantic trade war, Trump attacked the EU and suggested that it was Brussels that was impeding free trade.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose new tariffs on European car imports on a perceived imbalance in trade between two economic blocs

The US President tweeted: "Rates are the best! Either a country that has treated the United States unfairly on trade negotiates a fair deal, or it is hit by tariffs .It's as simple as that – and everyone is talking about! Remember, we are the "piggy bank" that is stolen.All will be great! "

He later added:" The European Union arrives in Washington tomorrow to negotiate an agreement on trade.I have an idea for The United States and the EU are abandoning all tariffs, barriers and subsidies! It would eventually be called Free Market and Fair Trade! Let's hope they do it, we are ready – but they will not be. ! "

Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Trade, which went to Washington with Juncker, said the EU was aligning a second round of US products the EU is considering tariffs of 20% out of 10 billion US dollars. euros (8.9 billion pounds sterling) of US products, or a lower tariff on a longer list of 20 billion euros of US products. Brussels has already applied levies for 2.8 billion euros of US goods, including Harley-Davidson and Bourbon motorcycles.

Malmström told the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter: "We hope this does not happen and we can find a solution, otherwise the European Commission is preparing a long list of many American products." [19659014AtameetingofG7leadersinCanadalastmonthTrumpaccusedJunckerofbeinga"brutalkiller"nodoubtwithrespecttotheEU'stradepolicy[1] 19659002] has repeatedly complained about the EU's 10% tariff on imported vehicles.The US has a levy of 2.5% on motor vehicle imports. EU replied that Brussels is more generous than Washington in other areas.

Trump would nevertheless be willing to apply a 20% tariff on imports of cars and spare parts unless EU does not review its trade policies – Juncker seeks to avoid a such a unilateral decision by making an offer, but only if the US lifts punitive tariffs on steel and aluminum European this year.

In the unlikely event that Trump would agree, Juncker will suggest that major car manufacturers and auto parts, including Japan and South Korea, negotiate a multilateral agreement to reduce zero tariffs on these products.

A second proposal would be a TTIP-lite agreement, reducing the transatlantic trade and investment partnership. 19659020] a comprehensive trade agreement between the United States and the EU pursued by Barack Obama and abandoned by Trump, to a limited agreement focused solely on industrial tariffs.

There are signs that Trump's trade policies are causing difficulties for the US economy. Political Problems in Washington

Tuesday, the US administration was forced to pledge a $ 12 billion aid plan to subsidize farmers affected by retaliatory tariffs imposed by China and the United States. ; EU. [1] 9659002] Republican Senator Ron Johnson expressed the opinions of free traders in Trump's party, saying, "It is becoming more and more like a Soviet-style economy here." The commissioners decide who will receive waivers, the commissioners of the administration who determine how they will spread the profits.I am very exasperated.It is serious. "

Juncker, who was more demotionless in his language about Trump than Donald Tusk , the President of the European Council, will deliver a speech titled Transatlantic Relations: At the Crossroads after his meeting at the White House. Tusk accused Trump of forging a new American approach to foreign relations in which there are no friends, only enemies.