News / Interviews / EU

EU too weak, scared to retaliate against US trade tariffs: Analyst

Thursday, 31 May 2018 5:59 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 01 June 2018 4:19 AM ]

The European Union is unlikely to retaliate to the United States' decision to impose harsh tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, because the bloc is too weak and suffers from discord, says a former US foreign policy adviser and diplomat.

“Will the Europeans be able to respond in a unified way to this; I think they talk a good fight but I think it's very doubtful they can stand up to American pressure,” James Jatras said in an interview with Press TV on Thursday.

“They’re worthless, they’re weak, they’re cowards and they will fall into place,” Jatras said.

EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker announced Thursday that the 28-nation bloc will retaliate swiftly to Washington’s decision to impose harsh tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Wednesday the Trump administration was following through on its threat to impose metal tariffs on not just the EU, but also Canada and Mexico.

PressTV-'EU to respond firmly to US tariffs'

Germany and France say that they will respond "firmly" to the US if it imposes tariffs on European steel and aluminum.

The EU bloc "will announce in the next coming hours counter-balancing measures," Juncker told a conference in Brussels after Ross’ announcement.

"This is a bad day for the world trade," Juncker said. "The European Union cannot react to that without any kind of reaction."

Europe exports around five billion euros ($4 billion) worth of steel and a billion euros worth of aluminum to the United States each year, and the commission estimates Trump's tariffs will affect some 2.8 billion euros in business.

As a precautionary measure, the European Commission, which handles trade matters for the EU, notified the World Trade Organization of eventual counter duties on May 18 that could come into force 30 days later.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that the EU would give a “smart, determined and jointly agreed” response if the United States decides to impose tariffs.

The US has also begun a process that targets car imports, in a move that could poison relations even further with Europe.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk