The US government needs to know that Europe is ready “to respond to excessively high customs burdens similar to the measures,” Merz said at a meeting with the Bavarian Cabinet on the highest German mountain, Zugspitze.
Merz said he was in close contact with U.S. President Donald Trump and the European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen.
The European Union is still hoping to negotiate the customs dispute, said Chancellor.
– Our goal is to quickly achieve solutions that facilitates trade with the United States and again enables lower customs – said Merz.
“Now we have a deadline by the end of July to spend the negotiations – he added.
Trump announced 1 last week. August as a deadline for negotiations. Customs of 30% on all EU goods would have a huge impact on the German economy that is predominantly focused on exports.
Merz said he insisted on postponing EU threats countererifs after the Trump announcement. “Otherwise, that could be automatically happened yesterday.”
Brussels prepared a list of countermeasures in response to Washington in case the tariffs enter into force.
EU Commissioner for the Trade Maros Šefčovich said additional customs that will be introduced to imports from the United States worth 72 billion euros ($ 84 billion).
(Vijesti.ba / Fena)
