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Prague – President Petr Pavel is convinced that Europe has not yet exhausted all options for negotiations with the American administration regarding imposing tariffs on the European Union. He said this today after a meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Prague. He considers it important that the European side of the Atlantic has a clear idea of how to address possible imbalances.
American President Donald Trump threatened a few days ago with the early imposition of tariffs on imports from the EU.
“We must remind both sides of the Atlantic that the United States and Europe are allies, that we share a democratic system, share the same values and long-term strategic interests. If there are any imbalances in mutual trade, we must primarily address them through negotiations,” Pavel said. According to him, Europe should have clear proposals in advance, with which it can sit down at the negotiation table, and not just wait for actions from the American president. “That is an expression of equal partnership,” he added.
Rebelo de Sousa emphasized that the USA and the EU are allies. “Of course, every ally can decide what position to take, but they must never operate from a subordinate position,” he said. “The United States has every right to express itself on trade and, for example, on security. Europe has the same right to say what it thinks about trade relations, about security relations,” the Portuguese President added.
According to him, Trump is used to negotiating since before he became a politician, and he likes to communicate through the media. Some proposals the American president puts forward for consideration and then waits for the reaction, Rebelo de Sousa stated. Among allies, it is important to seek common interests, adapt and negotiate, according to him. One side never has absolute truth; dialogue is essential, added the Portuguese President. (February 5)