The United States commercial imbalance has reached the point of rupture with the Ultimatum of July 9 of Trump

President Donald Trump threatens 50% prices on all imports of the European Union if a trade agreement cannot be concluded by July 9. The recent decision of the International Trade Court does not slow down Trump's efforts, given the multitude of escape and a possible reversal of the Supreme Court. The European outcry is noisy and multilingual – and we have to ignore it.

At the start of my mandate as an EU ambassador during Trump's first term, I invited members of the European round table to have lunch. I asked these CEOs of the largest companies in Europe if they had property in the United States all said yes. “But how do you eat in America?” I asked. “What do you drive? Bring your cars and your food with you?” They laughed and said that the reluctance of our products has nothing to do with food or manufacture of us. That these closed doors are European protectionism. In short, our cars are reliable, our vegetables healthy, they just want to win.

Regarding trade, they have won for decades and this must change.

Trump's difficult policies push the United Kingdom, the EU to considerably extend trade and defense

When Trump met with EU Ursula Von Der Leyen chief on May 25, she called her conversation with him, a “good call” and promised that “Europe is ready to advance the talks quickly and decisively”, “to contact:” to reach a good deal, we would need time until July 9. “.

What both in the conversation means is that the United States is now asking them to deeply dig into its red lines with regard to us. Europe Likes a show without result. I know what it is to negotiate with them – that they can move more slowly than a French snail – and the result is also the size of a snail. It's nice. It's cosmetic. It is meaningless.

We have had trade discussions several times before, with leaders like Von der Leyen pleading for more time, promising that they will become serious. The reality is that they will have meetings, but they will refuse to eliminate or even move their red lines on trade for the United States. They must.

Musk says he hopes “zero prices”, an area of ​​freedom of commerce between the United States and Europe

America deserves to be treated differently That any other trading partner, and this also counts for our requests for China. If we will take up arms, the EU must support us on sanctions. We want the EU to come across the countries of their block which operate in their personal interest rather than contribute to the economic interests of the Alliance. We deserve the reciprocity of trade with deep and material concessions.

The United States trade deficit with the EU is the ball. It increased from $ 45 billion in 1999 to 235 billion dollars in 2024. If we include services last year, the trade deficit reduces only $ 161 billion.

The American presidents of Clinton in Trump were slapped with significant commercial resistance of the EU. Not wanting to concede, even under unilateral pressure, they shouted what they perceived as we are exaggerated and have always chosen multilateral solutions – such as WTO strengthening – to find perceived stability and predictability.

When Trump said recently: “They have treated us very badly over the years,” he was there.

Some countries targeted by Trump's prices are looking for negotiations, China has declared “ no winner in commercial wars' ''

In 1999, when President Bill Clinton was occupied by the “Banana Wars”, arguing that American fruit importers should have more free access to the EU market, The US global global trade deficit was at a record of nearly $ 170 billion, with more than $ 43 billion from the EU. In 2002, George W. Bush imposed steel prices to protect national producers, during a year when our trade deficit with the EU had increased to $ 86 billion. During Trump's first term, our trade deficit increased from $ 151 billion in 2017 to 182 billion dollars in 2020. Now, at 235 billion dollars, you can understand why it is upset.

Trump does not negotiate, he's serious mortal. It wants a good part of their market and so that the EU treats us completely differently from any other trading partner because we have won it. Not only from a commercial imbalance of several decades, but the security guarantee, America has provided just as long. They need to overcome their rigorous value added tax, Health and digital regulations and make choices that reflect our common history.

President Donald Trump criticized the constantly increasing trade deficit with Europe. File: Trump speaks to Americafest, Sunday December 22, 2024, in Phoenix. (Photo / rick scuteri)

Trump does something hard and immediate while the EU is preparing to play a rope with us again. He says you can have all your juicy red regulations and tomatoes, but you need to pay 50% prices. Is it really worth it?

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Europeans should be exposed to American products. Trump does not force anyone to buy them, just to have access. If the way Americans do things do not encounter European taste or sensitivity, let the market speak for itself. And vice versa. Everything we ask is a fair blow.

What countries impose the highest rates in the United States?

I predict that the EU will make us again through their organic gardens and maintained without result. I think Trump predicts it too. July 9 will take place without substantial concessions made by the EU, forcing the president to impose significant prices. They will cause extreme pain on both sides, but the negotiations between us are like breaking a horse. Trump is linked and determined not to make them bend the knee, but rather to treat us differently from other business partners. And when they do, I'm sure we will listen. If Americans like European products better than ours, very good. American manufacturers will have to understand it.

The United States's trade deficit with the UE on the arrow. It increased from $ 45 billion in 1999 to 235 billion dollars in 2024. If we include services last year, the trade deficit reduces only $ 161 billion.

The readjustment of the commercial imbalance is not much money in the big scheme of things, but it is a sign of gratitude and respect for what the United States has done in the past 80 years. Many Europeans still claim that the Marshall plan has been sponsored by the United States for the benefit of Europe and ours. It's absurd.

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Think about it this way. If two friends, a richer, a poorer, regularly come out of dinner and the richest always pays, it makes sense. If the poorer friend needs surgery and the richest offer to cover it, it always makes sense. Theirs is a precious significant friendship after all. But if one day, the poorer friend between wealth and has the possibility of helping the person who supported him in a coherent way for decades, then refuses, there is a major problem.

The United States and the EU are these two friends. No one wants this relationship collapses, and all eyes are on the EU, because the world knows how long the United States has taken the check. We ask a favor from a friend because it's just their turn to pay.

Click here to find out more about Gordon Sondland