In response to US trade tariffs, the European Union (EU) will strengthen the unity of its internal market, which is regulated by the European Commission (EC).
“Our response to US tariffs must be to strengthen the unity of the European market“, said EC head Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at a session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. She promised to “erase remaining trade barriers between EU countries“, which in practice would mean increasing the economic power of the EC and reducing the powers of member state governments.
It is noted that the EC has prepared a plan for strict countermeasures that will be implemented if a solution cannot be found through negotiations. “The European Union did not start this confrontation, we consider it a mistake. But the EU has all the tools to defend its single market," von der Leyen said. According to her, the EC is seeking "a negotiated solution, but intends to negotiate with the US from a position of strength, relying on the size of their market, European technology and the services sector." So far, the US administration has announced a 25 percent increase in tariffs on imports of steel, aluminum, cars and auto parts from the EU. The next items expected to be subject to tariffs are wires, medical supplies and wood. "We expect an announcement tomorrow on the introduction of these tariffs," she said.