The chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee criticized Trump’s tariff threat as “unacceptable” and accused the U.S. of “breaking its commitments.”
Tensions are rising concerning the Scotland deal’s implementation. The U.S. has expressed frustration over the EU’s delay in reducing tariffs, while Europe is upset about a 26 percent U.S. tariff on aluminum and steel.
EU governments are split on whether to adopt additional safeguards as suggested by the European Parliament, delaying a unified approach. Most countries oppose a French-led initiative to revisit the deal.
Manfred Weber, chair of the European People’s Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, told POLITICO that talks “must be concluded swiftly so that the agreement can finally take effect.”
“Our businesses cannot endure prolonged uncertainty,” Weber stated, pushing for a final Parliament vote on the deal as early as next month.
Trump’s threat to escalate the dispute alarms foreign automakers in the U.S. A tariff hike “would threaten the progress already made to open EU markets and grow the U.S. auto industry,” stated Jennifer Safavian, CEO of Autos Drive America, according to AP.
France’s EU affairs minister told POLITICO on April 28 there was “no reason to unilaterally carry out a deal if it is not honored by the other side.”
Max Griera Andreu contributed reporting.
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