Secretary of Commerce US, howard Lutnick, It was announced today, Monday (24), that European Union (European Union) It needs to change its digital rules so it can then come to a workable agreement to reduce it Customs duties on steel and aluminium. According to Lutnick, the American delegation is in constant dialogue with the European side to achieve flexibility in the bloc’s technology rules. “In return, we will propose an interesting agreement for steel and aluminium,” he said. Bloomberg.
EU Trade Commissioner, maros sefkovic, He stated that the European bloc’s technological rules are not discriminatory. He added: “It does not target American companies, but we know that this is one of the topics that the United States wants to discuss. We are ready to answer this question, just as the United States is ready to answer our demands.”
Minister and US Trade Representative, jamison Greer, They are in Brussels on their first visit since the conclusion of the trade agreement between the US government and the European Union.
The treaty established a 15% tariff on most European goods, while the EU committed to eliminating tariffs on some US industrial products. Agricultural and food materials. The two sides also committed to continuing negotiations on sectoral customs tariffs on steel and aluminum, set at 50%.
The main concern of the European authorities relates to the scope of the tariffs. Since the conclusion of the agreement, the US government has significantly expanded the list of items covered by the tariffs.
But the demand imposed by the United States puts the European Union in a difficult position. The bloc has repeatedly stated that it will not allow other countries/governments to dictate the internal regulation of the technology sector.
At the same time, leaders of the bloc’s member states are asking the European authority to take measures to ease duties. “With regard to steel and aluminium, we need to get more relief,” the German Economy Minister said. Katrina Reichto the press.
“Many of the machines produced cannot be delivered to the United States and our companies are suffering from a significant decline in sales,” he added.
European Commission spokesman, thomas regnier, He stated, in a press conference, that the bloc would not accept negotiations on the rules of the technology sector and taxes within the negotiations with the American delegation.
In addition to meeting with European trade representatives, Lutnick and Greer also met with the EU Vice-President for Sovereignty and Technological Security, Hina Virkonen.