EU's leading official cautions against trade conflict
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has cautioned that escalating tensions over tariffs could lead to a trade war with the US, a situation that would mainly advantage China. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Beijing is poised to gain the most from a tariff standoff between Washington and Brussels, as cautioned by the European Union's foreign policy chief.
Kaja Kallas has emphasized that a trade war between the US and EU would have negative repercussions for both parties, warning that only China would ultimately benefit.
US President Donald Trump has continuously accused the EU of engaging in unfair trade practices. Following the imposition of sweeping tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China last week, he suggested on Sunday that similar measures would “definitely happen with the EU,” asserting that the bloc has “really taken advantage” of the US.
As EU leaders gathered informally in Brussels on Monday, Kallas addressed Trump’s remarks by underscoring that a trade war would be disadvantageous for both sides.
“There are no winners in trade wars,” Kallas asserted, emphasizing the strong interconnectedness between the US and the EU. She cautioned that raising tariffs would lead to higher costs that would negatively impact people. “If the United States starts the trade war, then the one laughing on the side is China,” she warned.
Other European leaders have echoed Kallas’ sentiments. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz advocated for diplomatic engagement, stating that while the EU could “react to tariff policies,” the focus should remain on cooperation.
French officials have also raised alarms about the potential for escalating tariffs to trigger retaliatory actions. French central bank governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau stated that “everybody loses in this kind of protectionist trade war.”
Trump has pointed out that the EU consistently exports far more goods to the US than it imports, claiming, “They don’t take our cars, they don’t take our farm products. They take almost nothing and we take everything from them.” He acknowledged that while Americans might experience “some pain” from tariffs, he believed it would be “worth the price.”
Following Trump’s inauguration last month, several EU leaders, including Scholz and France’s Emmanuel Macron, urged the bloc to come together in response to the Republican's return to office, expressing worries over his “America First” foreign policy approach.
In a related comment, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that EU officials would soon “stand at the master’s feet and gently wag their tails,” claiming they had previously spent years “happily” executing orders from Washington under former President Joe Biden and would soon fall back into that pattern.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
Kaja Kallas has emphasized that a trade war between the US and EU would have negative repercussions for both parties, warning that only China would ultimately benefit.
US President Donald Trump has continuously accused the EU of engaging in unfair trade practices. Following the imposition of sweeping tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China last week, he suggested on Sunday that similar measures would “definitely happen with the EU,” asserting that the bloc has “really taken advantage” of the US.
As EU leaders gathered informally in Brussels on Monday, Kallas addressed Trump’s remarks by underscoring that a trade war would be disadvantageous for both sides.
“There are no winners in trade wars,” Kallas asserted, emphasizing the strong interconnectedness between the US and the EU. She cautioned that raising tariffs would lead to higher costs that would negatively impact people. “If the United States starts the trade war, then the one laughing on the side is China,” she warned.
Other European leaders have echoed Kallas’ sentiments. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz advocated for diplomatic engagement, stating that while the EU could “react to tariff policies,” the focus should remain on cooperation.
French officials have also raised alarms about the potential for escalating tariffs to trigger retaliatory actions. French central bank governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau stated that “everybody loses in this kind of protectionist trade war.”
Trump has pointed out that the EU consistently exports far more goods to the US than it imports, claiming, “They don’t take our cars, they don’t take our farm products. They take almost nothing and we take everything from them.” He acknowledged that while Americans might experience “some pain” from tariffs, he believed it would be “worth the price.”
Following Trump’s inauguration last month, several EU leaders, including Scholz and France’s Emmanuel Macron, urged the bloc to come together in response to the Republican's return to office, expressing worries over his “America First” foreign policy approach.
In a related comment, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that EU officials would soon “stand at the master’s feet and gently wag their tails,” claiming they had previously spent years “happily” executing orders from Washington under former President Joe Biden and would soon fall back into that pattern.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
