In 2023, the U.S. items commerce deficit with the bloc was €156.6 billion, in line with European Union information. In providers nonetheless, the U.S. had a surplus of €108.6 billion, bringing the general commerce steadiness to €48 billion, in favor of the EU.
Sikorski’s feedback supply a glimpse of how the EU plans to deflect or defuse Trump’s risk of beginning a commerce struggle with the bloc. As high EU officers gathered in Warsaw, the U.S. president stated he would “undoubtedly” observe his tariffs in opposition to China, Canada and Mexico with tariffs on the EU although he has but to make any announcement.
The European Fee, which manages commerce for the bloc, has stated it might hit again if Trump imposes tariffs. One EU official, who was granted anonymity to debate confidential plans, stated the bloc has drawn up an inventory of entities to retaliate in opposition to ought to Trump impose tariffs.
However there’s hope in Brussels {that a} commerce struggle may be mitigated or prevented altogether if the bloc can supply Trump a positive “deal” just like those he is accepted from Canada and Mexico in change for withdrawing 25 p.c tariffs in opposition to each international locations. A key proposal spelled out by Fee President Ursula von der Leyen is that Europe may purchase extra liquefied pure fuel from the U.S.
The identical EU official stated that one choice at the moment into consideration in Brussels is for the EU to subsidize purchases of LNG for international locations that at the moment depend on Russian fuel, paying them any distinction in value to modify to a U.S. provider.
Sikorski, who’s one in every of few EU officers to have direct high-level contact with the U.S. administration, underscored that Poland was already shopping for a “big quantity” of U.S. LNG, and stated it is in the end as much as Europe to “achieve credibility” with Trump by spending extra on protection and managing safety in Africa with out counting on Washington.
