(Finance) – “This clash is not in anyone’s interest“: that between the EU and the US” is the largest and most prosperous commercial relationship in the world and we would all be better if we could find a constructive solution. At the same time, it must also be clear: Europe has not started this clash. We don’t necessarily want to take revenge, but we have a strong plan to take revenge if necessary. ” President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyento the plenary of the European Parliament, citing “very decisive countermeasures, if necessary”.
“Many Europeans, said Von der Leyen, feel deeply discouraged by the announcements from the United States” on duties. We believe it is wrong. But the message I want to transmit to you today is also that we have everything we need to protect our people and our prosperity “.
“Our immediate response” to the United States “is unity and determination: I have already been in contact with our heads of state and government on the next steps. We will carefully evaluate tomorrow’s announcements to calibrate our answer. Our goal is a negotiated solution. But of course, if necessary, we will protect our interests, our people and our companies, “said the President of the European Commission.
“The duties are taxes that will be paid by the population. They are taxes for Americans on their food and drugs. They will only feed inflation. Exactly the opposite of what we want to achieve. The American factories will pay more for the components produced in Europe “, observed Von der Leyen, underlining that all this” will cost jobs, will create a bureaucratic monster of new customs procedures “and” it will be a nightmare for all US importers “.
“Our strategy is based on three pillars. First, we are open to negotiations. We go to these negotiations from a force position. Europe has many cards in hand. From trade to technology to the size of our market. But this force is also based on our promptness to adopt firm countermeasures. All the tools are on the table,” added Von der Leyen, citing the intention of “double the efforts on our single market“To” break down the barriers that remain “.
And, regarding the single market, the president of the European Commission warned that “there are too many obstacles”. Mario Draghi is right when he says: ‘The high internal barriers are much more harmful to the growth of any duty’. The single market was born to break down barriers between our countries. To eliminate customs and duties. And to make business in Europe simple. We have to go back to that idea and make it“.
“According to the International Monetary Fund, the barriers of the European internal market are equivalent to a 45% rate for production and 110% for services. It simply cannot be like this. This must change now. For this I commissioned the vice -president Stéphane Séjourré to elaborate concrete and courageous proposals next month To remove some of these barriers and prevent new ones. “These reforms have been expected for some time. And now they have become more urgent than ever. In a global storm economy, the single market is our safe harbor. Thirty years after Jacques Delors posed his first stone, it’s time to finish the job “.