"The USA is behaving like a bully", writes EU parliamentarian Jörgen Warborn (M) on X. He is the spokesperson on trade issues for the liberal-conservative EPP group in the EU parliament.
It is especially sad that it is one of our closest friends who is behaving in this way, says Benjamin Dousa in response to whether he agrees with his party colleague.
On Thursday, the USA's 20-percent tariffs on all goods from the EU will come into effect. Dousa and other EU trade ministers will meet in Luxembourg on Monday to discuss whether the EU should respond in some way. The plan is to introduce countermeasures in mid-April.
The list can be expanded
In connection with Trump introducing tariffs on European steel and aluminum in mid-March, the EU Commission drew up a list of American products. This includes, among other things, beef, almonds, eggs, dairy products, sugar, vegetables, cosmetics, steel and aluminum products, furniture, plastic, rubber, and wood products.
The list may now need to be expanded, according to Dousa.
The gross list will need to become much, much longer if it is to be proportional in comparison with the USA's tariffs against us.
For the Swedish government, the starting point is to sit down at the negotiating table.
The door for negotiations with the USA should always be open. It's better to take a little time than to rush forward with countermeasures that hit us harder, where we shoot ourselves in the foot, says Dousa.
Juice and bourbon
Raised tariffs can mean higher prices for consumers, according to the National Board of Trade's analysis. It's important when introducing tariffs that there are goods that consumers can switch to, according to the minister. Orange juice from Florida and American bourbon are two products that may increase in price.
Sweden will safeguard input goods for our industry, because it's ultimately about Swedish jobs.
The government now wants to see fast-tracked new free trade agreements to be able to tie up with countries that are shifting focus when the USA shows itself to be unpredictable. Dousa mentions that it took 25 years for the EU to get the large Mercosur agreement with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Now he hopes, for example, for India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
We notice that interest in the European market has increased, because they see Europe as a reliable partner.
