Unjustified US tariffs: Europe must stand firm and united

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament strongly condemns the announced decision by the United States to impose new 30% tariffs on EU goods from 1 August and calls on all parties to work to find a resolution.

The unilateral and unjustified US move is a direct attack on workers, businesses, and consumers, and risks further damaging transatlantic relations at a critical time.

Despite recent efforts to find common ground and avoid escalation, the US administration has chosen threats and coercion over cooperation. Ahead of the meeting of EU trade ministers on Monday, Renew Europe calls for a united European response that defends our strategic interests, protects jobs and industries, and upholds the principles of fair and rules-based trade.

The EU is an open economy that now more than ever needs trade agreements with trading partners who also adhere to these principles.

Furthermore, the EU must not bow to Trump's irresponsible threat to impose even higher tariffs if the EU reacts to the announcement of 30% tariffs.

MEP Karin Karlsbro (Liberalerna, Sweden), Renew Europe’s standing rapporteur on EU-US trade relations and vice-chair of the Committee on International Trade (INTA), said:

“Trump’s approach to EU trade is deeply disappointing. We will not give in to blackmail. These unjustified tariffs are a tax on consumers and businesses.

The EU must not back down. We must remain united and fully use our toolbox and retaliate if the US and refuses a fair deal. We remain open for business and continue to strengthen our global partnerships, grounded in the core principles of fair and rules-based international trade”.

MEP Marie-Pierre Védrenne (MoDem, France), Renew Europe coordinator for the International Trade stated :

“The blackmail and coercive strategy pursued by Donald Trump must be met with European unity and firmness.
We have equipped the EU with tools to ensure economic stability, uphold international law, and defend our strategic interests, precisely to confront this kind of deliberate provocation.

The anti-coercion instrument must be put on the table at Monday’s Trade Council. I also call on the European Commission to swiftly finalise a package of targeted retaliatory measures. The first measures should be activated immediately, and the next ones must be ready for deployment.”

Renew Europe will continue to stand up for a strong, rules-based global trade system and defend European jobs and prosperity.