Cuerpo advocates to “push” for an agreement with Trump but “not to be naive” and have countermeasures ready

Brussels – The Minister of Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, advocated this Monday upon his arrival at a meeting of the 27 in Brussels to “push” for reaching an agreement that resolves the tariff war launched by the United States, although he has asked to “not be naive” and to agree on the second round of countermeasures to have it ready in case the negotiations fail in the new deadline given by the U.S. President, Donald Trump, of August 1.

“We have to keep pushing to achieve this agreement and support the Commission so that it can close this deal with the United States,” he said in statements to the press upon his arrival at the EU Trade Ministers meeting, while also asking to “be aware, not be naive, and have these possible countermeasures prepared in case that scenario we all want does not materialize.”

In this way, the minister has considered that a “positive message that there have been substantial advances in recent weeks” should be sent and that there is still an opportunity for an agreement with the United States. “That agreement with the United States is still within our reach,” Cuerpo stated, urging to “intensify efforts” in the coming weeks to reach a negotiated solution and, therefore, “continue extending a hand for negotiation.”

“We are all going to work to intensify our efforts to achieve it, and what we must continue doing is to advance in parallel, of course, in the preparation of possible rebalancing measures that could come into play if this agreement scenario ultimately does not materialize,” he summarized.

Additionally, Cuerpo pointed out the need to “continue advancing” also in “expanding” the network of “strategic” trade partners and cited the “pre-agreement” announced on Sunday between the European Union and Indonesia to finalize a free trade agreement by September as an example.

Ratification of Mercosur before the end of the year

He also pointed out the need to “be able to ratify” the agreement with Mercosur “before the end of the year,” whose negotiations concluded in December of last year but have not progressed in its approval, waiting since then for Brussels to present the legal proposal that allows the Council to initiate the ratification process — where it faces reservations from France or Poland — and the European Parliament.

In this context, the minister has supported the community executive in its decision to further delay the entry into force of the first round of retaliatory measures on 21 billion euros of purchases from the United States that the EU designed in April to respond to the initial American tariffs on steel and aluminum, but which were suspended until this Monday to allow space for negotiation.

Brussels announced this Sunday that it will extend the suspension until August 1, the new deadline set by Trump, who has threatened to impose generalized tariffs of 30% on European imports starting from that date.

The Commissioner for Trade and negotiator with Washington, Maros Sefcovic, also presents this Monday to the member states the final list for a second round of countermeasures that, initially, was intended to affect about 95 billion euros of U.S. imports but has been significantly reduced after negotiations with the capitals.

Finish identifying the products

When asked about the second list, Cuerpo deemed it necessary to “finish identifying” the products included in the package to “also be prepared for the implementation of that second package.”

The minister also defended that despite the threat of new tariffs launched by Trump this weekend, the negotiation is in “a situation similar to that of last week” because the measures announced by the White House have not yet come into effect.

“We need to give ourselves space for negotiation. We will see, once we reach those early August dates, what the situation is and whether the conditions are met or not,” he continued, later defending that the European Union has the “necessary tools to act” in case the negotiations derail. (July 14)