Belgian prime minister hopes to avoid “foolish” trade war with the US

De Wever and his colleagues discuss the state of the ongoing trade talks with Washington during dinner. Time is running out, as the pause announced by American President Donald Trump expires on July 9, and high tariffs of at least 20 percent on the import of European products are looming.

De Wever still hopes that it won’t come to that and that the European Commission can reach a negotiated solution with the Americans, thus avoiding a “foolish” trade war. He is cautious about “an escalation.” “Threatening with wild countermeasures is simply foolish. Let’s especially not do that and remain calm,” he preached calmness.

If the United States imposes “unilateral” and “unreasonable” tariffs, the EU, according to the Belgian Prime Minister, must take “proportionate” and “reasonable” countermeasures, not measures “that encourage further escalation.” As a countermeasure, the Commission has prepared tariffs on about 115 billion euros worth of American imports. These are still on hold, awaiting the outcome of the negotiations.

It is hoped that Trump will be in a more favorable mood after the successful NATO summit in The Hague and will not drag his allies into a trade war. “You might suspect that, although you never know with the American president which leg he will step out of bed on tomorrow, what he will declare, and what should be taken seriously. That is, to say the least, exhausting,” De Wever responded.