Late on Sunday, the US and the EU agreed after intense negotiations on American import duties of 15 percent on goods from the EU, including cars.
The customs rate of 15 percent applies to 70 percent of the EU's exports. The remaining 30 percent will have low or non-existent customs duties, or are being investigated by the US – which will be presented within a week.
At the same time, the US Trade Minister Howard Lutnick has told CNBC that medicines not manufactured in the US will be subject to "powerful" customs duties.
"Reduces volatility"
According to Minister for Aid and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa (The Moderate Party) Sweden will continue to drive for more goods, for example medical technology equipment, to be covered by lower or non-existent customs duties.
He calls the customs agreement between the EU and the US "the least bad alternative at present" at a press briefing.
It's not in any way a dream agreement – no one gets richer from the agreement, but it's an agreement that reduces volatility and uncertainty.
Extends customs hotline
The government is extending the so-called customs hotline via the National Board of Trade, where companies can turn with questions. They will also drive for more free trade agreements with other countries.
The agreed level is significantly lower than the broad 50 percent customs duties Trump threatened with in May, as well as the 30 percent he decided on before the parties agreed on a 90-day customs pause that was later extended.
What customs duties does the EU have against the US? Is there any difference from before?
There will be no difference. However, there may be a difference in the form that we zero the customs duties on certain products, says Dousa.
Dousa emphasizes that the negotiations will continue, and hopes to find even better solutions for car exports. One such path is common standards, he says.
