It seemed that one was close to an agreement, that only 10% of duties could be agreed, an almost friendly situation. But no. We learned through Truth Social, the Teatro delle threats of Trump, which could arrive duty to 30% also to the European Union from August 1st.
Europe now prepares to decide how to react after official communication. The letter, however, leaves one Spiraglio for an agreement, It is hoped definitive, if the EU decides to remove those that Washington considers unjust commercial barriers.
The focus, now, is all about countermeasures That Brussels could pass already in the next few days, in an attempt to keep the negotiation open, but also to put a staple to a situation that has been dragging for too long.
The accusations of Trump to the EU
For the White House, the EU continues to impose duties and rules that penalize the United States, for this reason Trump’s duties could start from August 1st. Brussels rejects the accusations to the senderremembering that the US boasts a surplus in the services and that the average European duties are among the lowest in the world.
The arm wrestling also concerns the tax regulations on digitalartificial intelligence and environmental standards. For Confindustria, that of Trump is a more provocative movement than constructive, an not very elegant way of raising the stakes.
How Europe could respond to Trump
The European Union will not be found unprepared and has already prepared two counter -firm packages:
- The first would affect the symbolic goods of the republican areas (Harley-Davidson, Levi’s jeans, peanut butter, blueberries, cereals, meat, soy) for a total of about 20.9 billion euros;
- The second would include steel, aluminum, machinery, appliances, fast-food and cosmetics.
Confesercenti has estimated an impact on Italian internal consumption of approx 12 billion euros in two yearswhile the decline in US tourism has already led to 193 thousand less appearances in June.
On the table also the so -called Bazooka Anti coercionwhich would allow:
- exclude US companies from public contracts;
- withdraw import licenses;
- limit access to financial markets.
The activation of the latter requires a qualified majority that is not currentlywith favorable Macron and Rome more cautious. The EU also evaluates new rules against American big techs and a calendar of controls on commercial concessions.
Today the Coreper meeting
Today’s meeting of the coreper, urgently convened for 15.30will be decisive to establish the European response. On the table the possibility of activating the countermeasures from the beginning of next week or keeping the negotiating road open until the last.
The position of the Italian government
The Italian government, as you know, is anchored to the US but has been playing a game for months where it is in the center. Giorgia Meloni reiterated support for the EU, however, saying that a commercial clash is not convenient for anyone. As always, try never to take a clear position on the matter.
Oppositions, on the contrary,, accuse the government of subordination: Elly Schlein spoke of “Aiderchical Madness” and Giuseppe Conte of “Employees negotiation”.
Adolfo Urso invites to treat coldness to avoid an escalation, while Giulio Tremonti accuses Brussels of submission and proposes to use taxation on the web as a negotiating leverage against Washington.
