EU news: Brussels caves in to Donald Trump over car trade tariffs
Brussels officials are looking to negotiate a new deal with the US President, who is a fierce critic of the EU's trade policy. The EU currently imposes tariffs of 10 percent on imports of US-built cars, compared to Washington's 2.5 percent levy on European car imports. Any move to lower the punitive tariffs would be warmly welcomed by Mr Trump. The news comes ahead of a meeting between European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the US leader later this month.
They send a Mercedes in, we can't send our cars in Donald Trump
Donald Trump recently claimed the EU was "possibly just as bad as China" when it comes to trade. The President said: "It's terrible what the EU does to us. They treat us very badly, they treat us very poorly. "Take a look at the car situation. They send a Mercedes in, we can't send our cars in." The US Department of Commerce is also investigating whether imports of foreign cars undermine American national security.
GETTY European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker will meet Donald Trump this month
EU leaders have ruled out making major concessions to Washington, instead vowing to defend their economic interests. They signed a joint statement last week backing "safeguarding measures to protect our own markets" amid the trade war. At a meeting with Dutch leader Mark Rutte on Monday, Mr Trump said it would be "positive" if the EU trade dispute was not resolved. Mr Rutte responded bluntly: "It's not positive. We have to work something out." Meanwhile, Angela Merkel revealed Mr Juncker would "submit proposals setting out what we can do" during his meeting with Mr Trump.
GETTY Donald Trump is a fierce critic of the EU's punitive tariffs on US-built cars