Faced with Donald Trump’s hesitation and flip-flopping, Europe could raise the stakes. Targeted by a significant tariff increase in two weeks, it could respond just as harshly.
Europe prepares arsenal to retaliate against Trump’s tariffs
While the European Union is officially showing a willingness to negotiate with Donald Trump, it is sharpening its knives behind the scenes. Maros Sefcovic, the European Commissioner for Trade, emphasized this in a press conference yesterday:
We are negotiating first, but we are preparing at the same time. […] As I have already said, it takes two hands to clap.
In other words, if the United States does not soften its tone, it could face significant countermeasures.
Europe’s chief negotiator points out that the EU could target €72 billion worth of goods from the US.
We want an agreement, but there is an old saying that goes, ‘if you want peace, you must prepare for war’.
So, we will see what happens in two weeks’ time if no agreement is reached. However, it is likely that there will be further twists and turns, given the changing mood of the US president.
