PM of EU Country Threatens Tariffs Against Trump
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has issued a warning that Brussels will be compelled to respond if Washington imposes restrictions on EU goods. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has cautioned that the EU will be compelled to retaliate if the US targets its goods.
On Monday, Frederiksen stated that the bloc would need to take “robust” action if the US places tariffs on EU exports. President Donald Trump has previously threatened to impose tariffs unless the EU significantly increases its purchases of American oil and gas to reduce the trade deficit. Reiterating his position on Friday, Trump expressed his intent to levy tariffs, asserting that the EU “has treated [the US] terribly” in terms of trade practices. However, he has yet to specify the goods that would be affected or the exact tariff rates.
Addressing reporters prior to an informal EU leaders' meeting in Brussels, Frederiksen expressed concern that Trump’s determination to impose levies could instigate a trade war. "I am not in favor of a trade war. I am actually in favor of the opposite, that we trade with each other... but it is clear that if there is very strong American pressure on the European market, we simply cannot do anything but respond harshly,” she remarked.
Frederiksen noted, “Unfortunately, we will have to give a very robust response” to any US tariffs, though she did not reveal the nature of that response. She cautioned that the EU's retaliatory actions would likely “affect ordinary people.”
Frederiksen’s views were echoed by other EU leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that if the bloc is “attacked in terms of trade,” it “will have to stand up for itself and therefore react.” Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, insisted that the appropriate response to tariffs would be “to reply with the same action.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk advised that the bloc should strive to avoid “totally unnecessary and stupid tariff wars.”
Trump has already acted on some of his earlier tariff threats, recently announcing a substantial 25% duty on imports from Mexico and most goods from Canada, along with a 10% tariff on Chinese products set to take effect on February 4. He justified these measures by accusing the three nations of inadequately addressing the influx of migrants and illegal drugs into the US. Canada has reacted by imposing a 25% levy on US goods and has signaled there will be further countermeasures. Mexico has also indicated its intention to implement retaliatory tariffs, while China plans to challenge Trump’s tariffs with a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Monday, Frederiksen stated that the bloc would need to take “robust” action if the US places tariffs on EU exports. President Donald Trump has previously threatened to impose tariffs unless the EU significantly increases its purchases of American oil and gas to reduce the trade deficit. Reiterating his position on Friday, Trump expressed his intent to levy tariffs, asserting that the EU “has treated [the US] terribly” in terms of trade practices. However, he has yet to specify the goods that would be affected or the exact tariff rates.
Addressing reporters prior to an informal EU leaders' meeting in Brussels, Frederiksen expressed concern that Trump’s determination to impose levies could instigate a trade war. "I am not in favor of a trade war. I am actually in favor of the opposite, that we trade with each other... but it is clear that if there is very strong American pressure on the European market, we simply cannot do anything but respond harshly,” she remarked.
Frederiksen noted, “Unfortunately, we will have to give a very robust response” to any US tariffs, though she did not reveal the nature of that response. She cautioned that the EU's retaliatory actions would likely “affect ordinary people.”
Frederiksen’s views were echoed by other EU leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that if the bloc is “attacked in terms of trade,” it “will have to stand up for itself and therefore react.” Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, insisted that the appropriate response to tariffs would be “to reply with the same action.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk advised that the bloc should strive to avoid “totally unnecessary and stupid tariff wars.”
Trump has already acted on some of his earlier tariff threats, recently announcing a substantial 25% duty on imports from Mexico and most goods from Canada, along with a 10% tariff on Chinese products set to take effect on February 4. He justified these measures by accusing the three nations of inadequately addressing the influx of migrants and illegal drugs into the US. Canada has reacted by imposing a 25% levy on US goods and has signaled there will be further countermeasures. Mexico has also indicated its intention to implement retaliatory tariffs, while China plans to challenge Trump’s tariffs with a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
