Earlier in the week, US President Donald Trump announced that the country will introduce steel tariffs, and the EU has promised to respond.
Benjamin Dousa participated on Wednesday in a digital trade minister meeting for EU countries where the issue was discussed.
It is clear that the best would have been if the EU and the US could agree before any tariffs from either side are introduced at all, he says.
"Take the US's word seriously"
Do you think it's possible that the tariffs will never be introduced?
I believe that the main scenario is to take the US's word seriously. Exactly this scenario has been prepared for several months, and there are other scenarios that we have also prepared for.
The EU is ready to respond in a proportionate, well-balanced way that does not disproportionately affect European companies and jobs.
Even the previous Trump administration introduced tariffs on steel and aluminum. Then the EU responded with tariffs on American goods such as motorcycles, bourbon, and juice. So far, it is unclear which goods would be eligible for the EU's response.
When we have news linked to exactly which products will be affected and exactly how we will respond, we will get back to that, says Dousa.
Increased interest in Europe
He adds that no country wants a full-scale trade war with the US.
According to Dousa, interest in the European market has increased as uncertainty around the US has grown.
I think that's fundamentally very positive. Because then we can get the opportunity to also open up new markets for Swedish export companies.
