Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said today that the increase in US duties is a unilateral attack by President Donald Trump, saying that this is not an intelligent way of dealing with today’s challenges.
“The US government has decided to attack unilaterally” in the link between the United States and the European Union with an “unprecedented” increase in customs duties, the socialist leader said in the presentation of a € 14.1 billion support plan.
This measure is a return “in the 19th century protectionism, which, in my opinion, is not an intelligent way to meet 21st century challenges in a interconnected world,” the prime minister said.
This measure is also based on an assessment does not respond to the truth, the Spanish government leader insisted, who challenged Donald Trump in his intervention yesterday.
The US president, who announced 20% customs duties on all products imported by the European Union, said the EU is applying 39% customs duties to US products.
“This is not true. In fact, if we look at the numbers well, the European Union applies duties around 3%, as appropriate, “said Sanchez, who called on the EU to react” proportionally “and” with unity “.
Today, “Europe is stretching its hand, and this will always do, because the American people, beyond governments, is a friend (…) but that doesn’t mean we will be crossed with arms,” he warned.
Donald Trump’s announcement raises lively concerns in European economic circles, including Spain – although the country is less exposed than some of its neighbors in this increase in duties, according to experts.
In order to assist the hitting sectors, mainly in the agricultural sector, Pedro Sanchez announced a “today” a € 14.1 billion support plan, of which five billion will come from the European Removal Fund after the COVID-19.
This plan will mainly include a financial mechanism that will allow businesses most affected by the trade war to maintain their employees’ jobs until they return to their normal activity, he explained.
Pedro Sanchez also said that he would ask the European Union to set up a fund funded by US duties, which will increase in response to the increase in US duties.
