European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will not travel to the United States to meet US President Donald Trump with a specific trade offer, the European Union (EU) executive said on Monday (23.7.2018).
Juncker will travel to Washington on Wednesday for a meeting focused on trade tensions between the EU and the United States.
Trump's top economic adviser Larry Kudlow said last week he expected Juncker to come up with a "significant" trade offer, but the Commission said Monday that would not happen.
“I do not want to enter into a discussion about mandates or offers, because there are no offers. This is a discussion, a dialogue and an opportunity to talk and remain committed to dialogue,” Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said at a press conference.
Trump has repeatedly complained about the EU, criticising its tariffs on car imports and describing the bloc as a trade “enemy”.
EU officials have said that while the bloc's tariffs on vehicles are higher than in the United States, they are higher in the US for other products such as trucks. They also indicated that the reduction in auto tariffs could only be approved under a broader trade agreement.
The European Trade CommissionerCecilia Malmstrom, who will accompany Juncker on the trip, said last week that she is preparing a list of US imports to act against if the US imposes tariffs on European vehicles.
Schinas said Juncker was “very prepared” to present the European arguments. “This is an opportunity to de-dramatize any tensions around trade and engage in an open and constructive dialogue with our American partners,” he said.
Source: Reuters
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