MEPs assess the current state of EU-US trade relations, multilateralism and the EU’s potential responses if the US imposes tariffs on European products.

US President Donald Trump has stated that he would “absolutely” introduce tariffs targeting the EU, citing grievances over EU action against US tech firms and a trade deficit in goods. He also threatened to use tariffs to pressure Denmark into handing over Greenland. President Trump recently announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, which he later delayed by a month, as well as a 10 percent tariff on imports from China.

Parliament is committed to multilateralism and has called for the urgent reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Leading MEPs recently said it is “imperative for the US and the EU to work closely together to defend multilateralism and the rules-based international order”. Meanwhile, the EU has strengthened the tools at its disposal to protect EU trade, which now include the Anti-Coercion Instrument designed to enable the EU to respond, as a last resort, to economic blackmail from a foreign country.

According to the Commission, the EU has a €154 billion trade surplus in goods with the US, while the US maintains a €104 billion surplus in services with the EU, resulting in an overall EU trade surplus of three percent from a total €1.5 trillion trade flow. In 2023, the US was the largest partner for EU exports of goods and the second largest partner for EU imports of goods.

EU - USA (T)

EU trade policy (T)

Debate on the  tariff threats from the Trump administration

MEPs and representatives from the Commission and the Polish Council Presidency assess the current state of EU-US trade relations, multilateralism, and the EU’s potential responses if the US imposes tariffs on European products. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, and Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Preparedness for a new trade era - multilateral cooperation or tariffs: Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner and Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

MEPs and representatives from the Commission and the Polish Council Presidency assess the current state of EU-US trade relations, multilateralism, and the EU’s potential responses if the US imposes tariffs on European products.

Preparedness for a new trade era - multilateral cooperation or tariffs: MEPs debate (part 1)

EP Plenary session - Preparedness for a new trade era: multilateral cooperation

Preparedness for a new trade era - multilateral cooperation or tariffs: extracts from the debate

Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency address the current state of EU-US trade relations, multilateralism, and the EU’s potential responses if the US imposes tariffs on European products. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Preparedness for a new trade era - multilateral cooperation or tariffs: Opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA Polish Minister for European Affairs, and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security

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