European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on Wednesday that the consequences of customs duties that US President Donald Trump intends to impose will be negative in the world, and that their damages will stop on their application and the duration of their continuation, what It would have led to successful negotiations.
The Trump administration is scheduled to announce today, Wednesday, “counter -duties” targeting countries that impose customs duties on American goods.
The move comes after the United States imposed new customs duties on products from Mexico, China and Canada, its largest commercial partner, as well as other goods, including steel and cars.
“The (fees) will be negative in the world, and the intensity and continuing effect will vary according to the target range and products and the duration of their continuation and if there are negotiations or not,” Lagarde said – in an interview with Irish New Enozuk Radio.
She added, “Because we should not forget that this escalation associated with customs duties – because it proves its harm even on those who impose it – leads to negotiations, where people actually sit and discuss and eventually remove some of these barriers.”
Lagarde said on Monday that the customs duties imposed by the United States today represented the beginning of a march towards independence for Europe.
“It is called (US President Donald Trump) on the day of liberation. I see him as a moment when we must decide together to hold our fate with our hands.”
Global reactions
Here we review the most important reactions even on Trump’s fees expected to be announced today, Wednesday:
- “The costs of the trade war are not borne by one party, but their cost may become exorbitant on both sides,” said German government spokesman Stephen Hibstra.
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that his country will be “very careful” in its response to “the unjustified measures taken by the US government.”
- British Prime Minister Kiir Starmer stressed on Wednesday that London is preparing to adopt a “calm and pragmatic approach” towards the new fees.
- French government spokeswoman Sophie Barima reported that the European Union will respond before the end of this April to the new customs duties.
- “We do not necessarily want to take retaliatory measures … but we have a strong plan if necessary,” said UNHCR, UNCO Von der Line.
- Beijing, Tokyo and Soul announced “accelerating” its negotiations to reach a free exchange agreement in the face of Trump’s customs definitions.
- Mexican President Claudia Shinbom confirmed on Tuesday that her country does not intend to follow the strategy of “eye and age” to the United States, because this “always leads to a bad situation.”
