MEP Bernd Lange, the chair of the European Parliament’s Trade Committee, believes that US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are targeting European regulation rather than EU tariffs on American imports. Lange stated that Trump’s team arrived at the figure of a 39% tariff imposed by the EU based on European legislation. He emphasized that EU law is non-negotiable, as indicated by a report from the US Trade Representative that detailed EU legislation in 30 pages. Despite the focus on tariffs, Lange believes that a negotiated approach with the Americans is necessary to resolve the trade war.
In response to what it deems as “unfair” trade practices by its partners, the US announced reciprocal tariffs affecting imports from countries around the world. The US claims that the EU imposes a 39% tax on US imports, prompting Trump to declare a 20% tariff on European goods. The US Trade Representative report cited various EU legislation, including sanitary and phytosanitary, environmental, and digital regulations as barriers to US imports. Lange reiterated that European legislation is off the table for negotiation, but believes that further investment in the US could be a basis for talks to break the deadlock in the trade war.
Lange warned that Trump’s tariffs will harm people on the ground, including Europeans, Americans, and those from the global South. He criticized the tariffs as unfair practice, stating that while Trump called it Liberation Day, he views it as Inflation Day. Lange emphasized the negative impact that the tariffs will have on people in various regions, and stressed the need for a negotiated approach to resolve the conflict. He proposed considering further investment in the US as a starting point for negotiation with the Americans.
Overall, Lange views the trade war with the US as a significant concern, particularly in terms of the impact it will have on individuals in different regions. He asserts that European legislation is not up for negotiation, but believes that dialogue with the Americans is essential to find a resolution. Lange highlighted the importance of carefully considering the effects of the tariffs on various populations and emphasized the need for a fair and mutually beneficial solution to the trade war. By advocating for investment in the US as a bargaining point, Lange hopes to pave the way for productive negotiations and to mitigate the negative consequences of the escalating trade tensions between the EU and the US.
