Merkel Says Europe Will Respond to U.S. Tariffs with Counter-Tariffs

Following in Canada’s footsteps, Europe has announced that they will respond to the U.S.’ recent trade tariffs with counter-tariffs.

Trump made his thoughts known on Twitter: “Just left the @G7 Summit in beautiful Canada. Great meetings and relationships with the six Country Leaders especially since they know I cannot allow them to apply large Tariffs and strong barriers to U.S.A. Trade. They fully understand where I am coming from. After many decades, fair and reciprocal Trade will happen!”

He followed that tweet with a somewhat more defensive and confronting one, writing: “The United States will not allow other countries to impose massive Tariffs and Trade Barriers on its farmers, workers and companies. While sending their product into our country tax-free. We have put up with Trade Abuse for many decades — and that is long enough.”

Angela Merkel responded to these tweets with a tone of disappointment, calling them “depressing” and “sobering.” She then stated that European countries will counter the U.S.’ tariffs with some of their own.

She remarked that this summit did not mark an end to the relationship between the U.S. and Europe, yet it highlighted the need for Europe to not have to over-rely on the U.S.

The Chancellor was also asked about the possibility of Russia re-joining the G-7, which Trump propsed before arriving to the summit. He mentioned to reporters: “Russia should be in this meeting. Why are we having a meeting without Russia being in the meeting? And I would recommend — and it’s up to them, but Russia should be in the meeting, it should be a part of it.” (Russia was part of the alliance—formerly G-8—but was expelled in 2014 due to their military intervention in Ukraine). Merkel stated that said Russia  could potentially re-join, if Russia makes a peace agreement with its neighbor.

Merkel and Canada were not the first ones to act against Trump’s tariffs. Last week, Mexico announced that they intend to impose a substantive twenty percent tariff on U.S. pork, which could result in U.S. pork farmers losing over a hundred million dollars annually (Mexico is one of the most significant buyers of U.S. pork).

Featured Image via: Flickr/EU2017EE Estonian Presidency