US to press EU to pull away from China in return for tariff cuts: Report
A series of briefing documents have reportedly revealed that the United States aims to force the European Union to choose between Washington and China in any future trade negotiations in return for reducing tariffs, as the trade war between the two countries escalates.
The briefing documents, confirmed by multiple senior sources on Wednesday, suggested that the overall US strategy is to decouple from China, adding that any country who wishes to have a trade deal with Washington will also have to distance itself from Beijing.
The briefings were circulated to senior ministers and officials following the Irish minister for foreign affairs Simon Harris’ meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington last week.
They also point out that the US may impose additional tariffs on pharmaceutical imports during the 90-day pause, which saw the tariff on most EU goods reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, even though it wants to see trade negotiations completed within this period.
The briefings also suggest that the US would want the EU to limit or discontinue non-tariff barriers to trade, potentially including stringent EU product standards, including some food standards.
However, senior Irish and European sources have dismissed any chance that the EU would change its standards on, for example, hormone-treated beef and chlorine-washed chicken, which neither can gain entry to the bloc’s market at present.
On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced his trade war strategy by imposing tariffs on trading partners and various countries worldwide.
As part of that move, the White House declared a 34% tariff on Chinese imports in addition to the 20% already in place. In response, Beijing announced a reciprocal 34% tariff on US imports.
After announcing sweeping import taxes on dozens of trade partners, Trump suddenly issued 90-day reprieve for most of them except China.
On April 8, Trump threatened to impose an additional 50% tariff on imports from China unless Beijing rescinds its retaliatory tariffs on Washington.
Washington’s steep tariffs of 104 percent on Chinese imports came into effect the following day.
In response, Beijing said tariffs on US goods will rise to 84% from 34%, effective April 10.
China has criticized the Trump administration’s tariff policies, stating that they harm the stability of global production and supply chains while seriously impacting the world’s economic recovery.
The escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing continues to raise concerns about its broader implications for global markets and economic stability.
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