European trade ministers discuss the impact of the new US definitions on trade relations

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Brussels on April 7 / WAM / Trade Ministers of the twenty -seven -seven -day trade countries conducted trade relations with the United States, in light of recent developments, especially the partial assumption of American definitions and provided instructions for the next work.

The ministers said in a statement issued today that they took this opportunity to assess the impact of these new definitions and explore the possibility of negotiating acceptable solutions on both sides, which remains the favorite approach of the European Union.

In addition to the European Union’s response regarding the US tariffs to steel and aluminum, which is currently being prepared, the ministers also dealt with the possibility of taking more proportional counter -measures if necessary.

The European Union trade ministers expressed very unfortunately the new American customs tariffs, stressing their commitment to the dialogue, in an effort to negotiate an acceptable negotiation for both sides.

The statement said that, given the next stage, the UNHCR and member states will evaluate any carefully possible new American measures, as well as the latest declared customs tariffs “a 20 % tariff for the European Union.”

On the other hand, European ministers reviewed the current situation and future expectations of commercial relations between the European Union and China.

European Trade Commissioner Shevchaovic briefed ministers about the state of the European Union’s trade relations with China after his visit to China, with a focus on how to improve trade and investment relations between the European Union and China and re -balance.

The ministers said that China is still a major commercial partner for the European Union, as it is the third largest trade partner for the European Union and the second largest commercial partner in terms of commodity trade, however, the increasing commercial imbalances still raise concerns.

The trade deficit between the European Union and China last year was 304.5 billion euros, while this represents an improvement compared to the numbers of 2022 “397 billion euros”, but it represents a record increase in size.

In 2024, the Chinese foreign direct investment in the European Union reached its highest level in the past five years, reaching 185 billion euros, while the direct foreign investment of the European Union in China has been stable at 184 billion euros.