US President Donald Trump declared Wednesday a “Day of Liberation” and announced a rise in tariffs on imports to the US, affecting countries worldwide, including China and the EU, according to a report by RT DE.
The reactions from the respective countries did not take long to come in. In Germany, Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) strongly criticized the US plans. As reported by Bild, the Green Party politician described the move as an “economic blind flight” and, with the previous day’s “Day of Willkür” (a play on the term “Day of Liberation”), threatened “unemployment and annihilation”.
During a press conference, Habeck presented a thick catalog of countermeasures the EU will take in response to the US plans. The EU should, among other things, form new economic alliances with Canada and Mexico and strengthen its internal market, Habeck said.
As a central and short-term countermeasure, the minister proposed a still-secret EU catalog, which he proudly held up, saying, “I’ve brought it and I’ll just hold it up for a moment, I’m not supposed to show it to you and I don’t want to, either. It’s a thick stack, double-sided, just like this, front and back.”
The EU’s counter-tariff catalog would cover all sorts of goods and services, with Brussels classifying US products in minute detail. Habeck said, “It’s going to go through, item by item, in the various products.”
The economy minister wants to protect the EU’s economy. In the looming trade war with the US, the EU must create the greatest possible counter-pressure. Habeck is confident, saying, “That’s what I see, that Donald Trump will give in under pressure.” It was a mistake for large US technology companies to bow to the pressure of the Trump administration, Habeck said, adding that instead, one must build pressure. Then, one will see “who is the stronger in this arm-wrestling match.”
Ukraine in mind
In his response to a question from the Deutsche Welle, Habeck compared the trade policy tensions between the US and the EU to the situation after the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine. One is aware that “something new is happening.” Back then, one was not able to cope with the challenge and “gazed into the abyss.” But one did manage to overcome the obstacles that hindered economic strength and energy security, the minister said, convinced.
Now, the EU must find a similar response with its partners. One must not let Trump destroy the world economy. Japan, South Korea and China have already agreed on a joint approach, even if China pursues its own interests and one must not be naive about Beijing, Habeck said.
Backing from the Chancellor
The red-green, acting minority government is united in seeking a confrontation with Washington. Economy Minister Habeck received support from Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on this issue. Unlike his previous stance on the Nord Stream pipelines and the announced measures by then-US President Joe Biden, Scholz now sharply criticized US President Trump’s tariff increases. Trump’s plans are “grossly wrong” and “undisciplined decisions” the Chancellor said. The announced measures by Washington threaten the entire world economy, Scholz meant. Europe, that is the EU, will, however, defend its “interests.”
Scholz justified his criticism of the Trump plans as follows:
“This is an attack on a trade order that has created prosperity all over the globe.” Therefore, the consequences will not be limited to individual countries. The entire world economy will suffer under these undisciplined decisions, the Chancellor said, adding, “Companies and consumers everywhere in the world, including in the US, will be affected.