Trump will strip the European Union bare with his tariffs

It’s been nearly four months since Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, and President Trump made a handshake deal to resolve trade tensions between their economies. But details of the trade pact have proven contentious — and they will be up for debate again this week, when American trade officials visit their counterparts in Brussels, ‘The New York Times’ writes.

Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, met Maros Sefcovic, the European Union’s trade commissioner, on Sunday.

The visit is an opportunity for a back and forth between two of the world’s most active trading partners at a moment when their trade relationship remains somewhat in flux. Both sides have signed onto a trade agreement in principle — one that has left the 27-nation bloc facing 15 percent tariffs across the board, with various exceptions. But key parts of the deal have not been completed and carried out.

Europe is hoping for a better deal on a list of items, including wine and spirits, steel, aluminum, medical devices and pasta. The United States has implied that the Europeans must do more to meet their commitments, including making promised investments. U.S. officials also continue to push for changes, like Europe rolling back key technology regulations.

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Mr. Greer said that the Europeans had started a legal process to meet their trade commitments and that it was well underway. “We’re here to just take stock of that progress,” said Mr. Greer, who was speaking from outside of the European Union buildings in Brussels.

“There is a risk that Europe does not understand that everything with this administration is a constant negotiation,” said Jörn Fleck, senior director with the Europe Center at the Atlantic Council, a research institute. He noted that the deal Ms. von der Leyen and Mr. Trump struck several months ago at his golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, was temporary.

“Europe should take that quite literally,” he said. “Because this administration will.”

A senior Trump administration official said that the United States would seek to conclude a binding, written agreement with the E.U.

But that could take time. The European Union has put forward legislation that would cut tariffs on U.S. industrial goods and some agricultural exports as part of its side of the trade deal.

That legislation still needs the approval of the European Parliament, where some lawmakers are worried that the United States is not fully holding up its end of the bargain.

European officials remain concerned about U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs. Leaders from the bloc have made it clear that they believe the 15 percent cap should extend beyond products specifically listed in the deal, like cars and wood. For now, Europe still faces a 50 percent duty on steel and aluminum, and on many products that contain those metals.

“The single, all-inclusive 15 percent cap on tariffs for E.U. exports to the U.S. agreed in the deal should be applicable also to aluminum derivatives,” Mr. Sefcovic, the trade commissioner, said in a speech last week.

For industries in Europe, a finalized deal between the two nations — preferably with the wish list of carve-outs that the E.U. is planning to present to the United States this week — is the top priority.

“We are hoping that we will be on that list, and, more importantly, we are hoping that the list will be received favorably,” said Pauline Bastidon, director for trade and economic affairs at Spirits Europe, an alcohol industry group.

But she noted that it was not clear how welcome such suggestions would be.

“I believe there is one man who decides,” she said, referring to Mr. Trump.

Pic.: RIA Novosti

…Trump has decided to strip the European Union bare with his tariffs, and he will!

European officials' attempt to bury the issue has led to a disgruntled Trump sending his financial emissaries to Europe, who are supposed to bend Ursula and her company and achieve what is beneficial to the US but disadvantageous to Europe.

Ursula wanted to cheat and avoid implementing the decisions made at the summer summit with Trump. As if they had talked and forgotten... But he has an iron grip – Trump will ensure that he skims the cream off the European economy.

Europe will once again demonstrate to the world that it lacks even basic sovereignty, is determined to fight Russia and achieve a “strategic victory”! But how will it do that if it can't even achieve victory in economic negotiations?!

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