Donald Trump announced Thursday that he imposes new tariffs on the European Union in retaliation for VAT. The president of the United States takes a new step in his protectionist escalation and imposes “reciprocal” levies In their foreign trade, in which the twenty -seven are placed as large victims.
“I have decided that, for reasons of justice, I will impose reciprocal tariffs, which means that what a country makes the US pay, We will charge them the same, not even less“Trump told the press at the Oval Office, where he has also advanced that he intends to sign a memorandum with that order in the next few minutes.
The new tariffs will not immediately take effect, according to Europa Press They could be ready for Apriland the first to be punished will be those with a higher commercial deficit with the United States, as explained by a senior official before the memorandum signing.
“Everyone has taken advantage of the US and we have paid a high price. for them and They treat us fairly“Trump added.
The document signed by Trump focuses on two aspects that, according to him, They have generated “unfair” treatment for the US in regards to their international trade: Tariffs imposed by other countries to US exports and the so -called “non -tariff barriers”, ranging from regulations to rates for currency change. Each nation will face personalized levies.
The president was especially critical of the European Union, which he accused of being “absolutely brutal in commerce“And to impose what he described as”An undercover tariff “through VAT (Value Added Tax), which varies between 17 % in Luxembourg and 27 % in Hungary. “We will consider that countries that use the VAT system, which is much more punitive than a tariffthey are similar, “said the president in a publication in his social network, Truth Social.
“There is a reason why Germany sells more cars than we sell them, and it is not because of the quality of manufacturing or American design. It is simply for unfair commercial practices, and that is lethal. It is a hidden tariff, “said Trump.
As explained to Efe a senior official before the signing of Trump’s memorandum, The European automotive sector could face a significant increase In their rates. Currently, Washington applies a 2.5 % tariff to imported vehicles, but this figure could rise to 27 %. While the EU imposes a 10 % tariff on imported cars, in addition to community VAT, which is minimum of 17 %.
Therefore, with the new US policy this sector would apply an equivalent rate, adding 10 % tariff and the corresponding percentage of VAT, which could raise the total rate to 27 %.
The details of the tariffs in the executive order have been deliberately left at a flexible point, since Washington’s intention is that each country renegotes the rates currently imposed on US products, according to the aforementioned official.
“The BRICS were created with a bad purpose”
The president of the United States, Donald Trumphas also threatened this Thursday to the BRICS block, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, with 100 % tariffs if they “play” with the dollar.
“The BRICS were created with a bad purpose“Trump said in statements to the press in the Oval Office of the White House, where he added that:” If they play with the dollar, the same day we will apply a 100 %tariff, “he said.” If the BRICs want to play , those countries will not trade with us. We will not trade with them, “he added.
In this sense, the Republican fulfills his electoral promise. During his campaign, he promised to impose on “any country that charges a tariff on a product manufactured in the United States, The same exact tariff“.
Among the countries potentially most affected by tariffs are India, whose prime minister, Narendra Modi, visits the White House this Thursday. Other Asian countries such as Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and Brazil also impose higher tariffs on US products than the reverse.
