Time’s up! A month ago, President Trump delayed his EU steel and aluminum tariffs decision and as of Friday, that deadline is over and the US allies across Europe will face big decisions on retaliation.
Amid threats from various European leaders – and the potentially unipolar world order repressing blowback from Trump’s Iran decision and subsequent sanctions – The Wall Street Journal reports that the Trump administration, unable to win concessions from European Union counterparts ahead of a Friday deadline, is planning to make good on a threat to apply tariffs on European steel and aluminum, according to people familiar with the matter.
The announcement is reportedly likely to occur on Thursday, and will be 25% on imported steel and 10% on imported aluminum.
However, one person familiar with the matter said the administration’s plans could still change, particularly if the two sides are able to cobble together a last-minute deal, though both sides suggest such a deal is unlikely.
This won’t go down well with Mr Juncker who previously said he will not accept threats in talks with the United States to secure a permanent exemption from U.S. import tariffs on steel and aluminum.
“I would like to reiterate the call that this exemption be made unconditional and permanent.
We consider that the U.S. measures cannot be justified on the basis of national security…
We will continue our negotiations with the United States, but we refuse to negotiate under threat.”
Will the EU dare to break US sanctions on Iranian oil? Or Iranian business deal? As retaliation for these tariffs?
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