Das ist ein trauriger Tag für den Welthandel, so schreibt es ganz aktuell EU-Kommissionspräsident Jean-Claude Juncker. Nachdem die USA vorhin offiziell die Aussetzung der Zölle gegen die EU nicht verlängert hatten, werden ab morgen US-Importzölle auf Stahl und Aluminium in Höhe von 25% wirksam gegen die EU wirksam. Die EU will in den nächsten Stunden mit konkreten Gegenmaßnahmen reagieren, wie Jean-Claude Juncker soeben vermeldete.
It’s a bad day for world trade. US leaves us no choice but to proceed with a WTO dispute settlement case and the imposition of additional duties on a number of US imports. We will defend the EU’s interests, in full compliance with international trade law. https://t.co/J3wPW5Ew7K pic.twitter.com/aDlOWcSgRv
— Jean-Claude Juncker (@JunckerEU) May 31, 2018
.@JunckerEU “Today is a bad day for world trade. The EU cannot not react. We will immediately introduce a settlement dispute at #WTO and will announce counterbalancing measures in the next hours. Unilateral measures totally unacceptable." #EUTrade https://t.co/DR59AHlsoA pic.twitter.com/I97WLExKVb
— Natasha Bertaud (@NatashaBertaud) May 31, 2018
Die USA ließen der EU gar keine andere Wahl als Gegenzölle zu verhängen, so Juncker. Also, es kommt wie man es erwarten konnte. Wohl heute Abend wird die EU-Kommission ihre Liste aus der Schublade ziehen, und ihre Gegen-Zölle veröffentlichen. Dann dauert es nicht mehr lange, bis Trump US-Zölle auf Autos aus Europa ins Spiel bringt!
Die beiden wichtigsten EU-Repräsentanten im Wortlaut hierzu:
President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker said: „I am concerned by this decision. The EU believes these unilateral US tariffs are unjustified and at odds with World Trade Organisation rules. This is protectionism, pure and simple. Over the past months we have continuously engaged with the US at all possible levels to jointly address the problem of overcapacity in the steel sector. Overcapacity remains at the heart of the problem and the EU is not the source of but on the contrary equally hurt by it. That is why we are determined to work towards structural solutions together with our partners. We have also consistently indicated our openness to discussing ways to improve bilateral trade relations with the US but have made it clear that the EU will not negotiate under threat. By targeting those who are not responsible for overcapacities, the US is playing into the hands of those who are responsible for the problem. The US now leaves us with no choice but to proceed with a WTO dispute settlement case and with the imposition of additional duties on a number of imports from the US. We will defend the Union’s interests, in full compliance with international trade law.“
Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström said: „Today is a bad day for world trade. We did everything to avoid this outcome. Over the last couple of months I have spoken at numerous occasions with the US Secretary of Commerce. I have argued for the EU and the US to engage in a positive transatlantic trade agenda, and for the EU to be fully, permanently and unconditionally exempted from these tariffs. This is also what EU leaders have asked for. Throughout these talks, the US has sought to use the threat of trade restrictions as leverage to obtain concessions from the EU. This is not the way we do business, and certainly not between longstanding partners, friends and allies. Now that we have clarity, the EU’s response will be proportionate and in accordance with WTO rules. We will now trigger a dispute settlement case at the WTO, since these US measures clearly go against agreed international rules. We will also impose rebalancing measures and take any necessary steps to protect the EU market from trade diversion caused by these US restrictions.“
Jean-Claude Juncker. Foto: EU-Kommission
Kommentare lesen und schreiben, hier klicken
