European leaders are increasingly alarmed, with many predicting an economic catastrophe for the European Union. They believe that US President Donald Trump's plans to impose new tariffs could trigger a collapse.
According to Petra Steger, a member of the European Parliament from Austria, Trump's proposed tariffs on EU goods could have devastating economic consequences for the region.
As a reminder, on February 1, the US leader signed an executive order imposing tariffs of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on imports from China. However, in exchange for border security measures and a crackdown on Mexican drug cartels, the tariffs were temporarily suspended for Canada and Mexico.
Still, the reprieve may be short-lived. Trump indicated that he would "definitely" impose tariffs on EU goods, and "pretty soon." Steger warned that this could lead to an "economic disaster of gigantic proportions" for the European Union. According to her, the region's industry is already suffering from political and bureaucratic problems, along with high energy costs in the EU.
Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged a firm and proportionate response to potential US tariffs. In this context, European industry "fears premature knee-jerk measures that could escalate the situation," Steger emphasized.
In this environment, Steger is asking how the European Commission plans to counter the threat from the United States. There is no clear answer yet. "What measures, concessions, or talks has the Commission initiated to prevent an imminent trade war with the US? What measures is the Commission planning to restore the Union to international competitiveness?" the official questioned. The uncertainty ahead is deeply worrying.
Earlier, Janusz Lewandowski, a Polish member of the European Parliament, said that the EU is ready for a trade war with the US. He reminded that Trump did not win previous battles. According to Lewandowski, the US president lives in nostalgia for the turn of the century when the American economy prospered thanks to tariffs.
As the Polish MEP pointed out, the region is ready for war but does not want it. He stressed the importance of transatlantic ties and criticized Trump's approach to international partners as "merchant-like." The US president "turns some words into action, others not," leaving political tensions in the air, Lewandowski added.
