Global Geopolitical Series: EU warns Trump against cherry picking EU countries for tariff exemptions

Defying global pressure from both foes and allies alike, and the threats of trade wars, President Trump signed much-anticipated trade tariffs into law, imposing 25 percent tariffs on Steel imports and 10 percent tariffs on all Aluminum imports. However, in his proclamation order, a provision has been left where the Commerce Secretary is allowed to provide exemptions in consultations with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, and United States Trade Representative (USTR) based on national security considerations. Senior White House officials have suggested that relief might be provided to the military allies of the United States, like the United Kingdom, France, etc.

However, the European Union has fired back against the tariffs and possible exemptions warning the Trump administration against cherry-picking countries with the EU to provide relief. Instead, they are calling for exemptions for the whole European Union, all members included.

Jyrki Katainen, the vice-president in charge of trade policy, told reporters in Brussels, “we cannot accept that the EU is divided into different categories…..We expect that whole EU is treated as a trading block, all the countries are in a similar position…….. We don’t want to see the division between the member states.” Mr. Katainen warned that any moves to favor particular EU member states would violate core principles of the EU’s common commercial policy and the single market.