European Trade Commissioner Calls For The US To Stop Its Tariff On Its Cars

European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič today called on the United States to return tariffs on the European Union to the levels agreed in the EU-US trade agreement.

Šefčovič met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Grigg in Paris earlier today, Reuters reports.

The agency adds that one of the topics of conversation between the two officials was US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on cars and trucks manufactured in the EU worth 25 percent.

Earlier today, Grigg announced that the US would proceed with a plan to increase tariffs on car imports from the European Union to 25 percent despite opposition from Brussels.

Greer said he spoke with European Union and German officials over the weekend to inform them that President Donald Trump’s administration intends to implement the announced tariff increase.

Trump announced last Friday that tariffs on cars from the EU would be increased from the previously agreed 15 percent to 25 percent, citing that Brussels had failed to fulfill its obligations under the trade agreement with Washington.

The European Commission rejected these claims and said it would protect the interests of the European Union if the US violates the terms of the agreement, reports Tanjug. The announcement of new tariffs further hit the European automotive sector, with shares of leading German car manufacturers, such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Porsche, falling between two and three percent today.

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