EU vows to protect interests as Trump threatens car tariffs

The European Commission has responded firmly to President Trump's latest trade threats, vowing to protect the European Union's interests should the U.S. proceed with imposing a 25% tariff on European automobiles. This move by the U.S. administration, ostensibly a response to perceived non-compliance with a trade agreement, has been met with a clear message from Brussels: the EU remains committed to its obligations and expects the same from its partners.

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Εκπρόσωπος της Κομισιόν δήλωσε σε δημοσιογράφους ότι η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση τηρεί πλήρως τις δεσμεύσεις της, όπως αυτές αποτυπώνονται στην Κοινή Δήλωση, σύμφωνα με την καθιερωμένη νομοθετική πρακτική.

A spokesperson for the Commission articulated this stance, assuring that the EU is maintaining open communication channels with Washington and upholding its commitments under established agreements. The emphasis is on a predictable and mutually beneficial transatlantic relationship. However, the EU has made it unequivocally clear that if the U.S. takes actions inconsistent with their joint declarations, the EU will not hesitate to retaliate to safeguard its economic well-being. This is a critical juncture for EU-U.S. trade relations.

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Παραμένουμε πλήρως προσηλωμένοι σε μια προβλέψιμη και αμοιβαία επωφελή διατλαντική σχέση. Σε περίπτωση που οι ΗΠΑ λάβουν μέτρα που δεν συνάδουν με την Κοινή Δήλωση, θα διατηρήσουμε ανοιχτές τις επιλογές μας για την προστασία των συμφερόντων της ΕΕ.

From a European perspective, President Trump's focus on tariffs, particularly on the automotive sector, is seen as a protectionist measure that disrupts established supply chains and penalizes industries that have historically contributed to both American and European economies. While the U.S. president touts domestic investment and job creation, the EU views such unilateral actions as detrimental to global trade stability and potentially escalatory. The threat of increased tariffs on cars, a significant export for many EU member states, is a direct challenge that requires a coordinated and robust response to defend the integrity of the single market and the livelihoods of European workers.

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Με χαρά ανακοινώνω ότι, δεδομένου ότι η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση δεν τηρεί τη συμφωνία μας για το εμπόριο, την επόμενη εβδομάδα θα αυξήσω τους δασμούς που επιβάλλονται στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση για τα αυτοκίνητα και τα φορτηγά που εισέρχονται στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες.