Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has made it clear that “all options are on the table” in light of the tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. While she emphasized that the EU does not seek an economic confrontation, she affirmed that the union possesses the “power to push back.”
Speaking at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Ms. von der Leyen addressed concerns raised by an MEP who labeled the proposed U.S. tariffs as “fear trade.” She described the EU’s single market as Europe’s “safe harbour” amidst what she characterized as a “stormy economy.”
In her remarks regarding the U.S. tariffs, the European Commission President pointed out, “Europe did not start” this economic standoff and believes such a conflict is unwarranted. While she reiterated the EU’s openness to negotiations with the United States, she made it clear that any discussions would be approached “from a position of strength,” given the substantial economic influence of the EU.
Acknowledging President Trump’s assertions that some individuals have “taken advantage” in the past, she cautioned that imposing tariffs would only “fuel inflation” and risk job losses by engendering “a bureaucratic monster.” She asserted that the EU would “double down on the single market” and respond to U.S. tariff announcements with a “calibrated response.”
Ms. von der Leyen stated, “We think this confrontation is in no one’s interests.” She added that while “Europe did not start this confrontation” and is not eager to retaliate, the EU is equipped to do so if necessary, and “we will use it.” She reiterated the importance of safeguarding the single market, which has historically benefited not just the EU but also the United States and the global economy.
Highlighting the EU’s existing trade agreements with 76 countries, she reiterated that the single market remains the EU’s “safe harbour” in a challenging economic landscape, concluding with a passionate “Love, live, Europe.”
During the same discussion, German MEP and President of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber, noted that “the next Trump challenge is coming on Wednesday.” He criticized President Trump’s approach, stating, “He’s not about free trade; he’s about fear trade.” Mr. Weber reframed Trump’s forthcoming tariff announcements, calling them “resentment day” rather than “liberation day,” given that both the EU and the U.S. are nearly equal in economic strength—a balance that Mr. Trump seems intent on disrupting.
Quoting former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Mr. Weber remarked, “The freer the flow of world trade, the stronger the tides for economic progress and peace among nations.” This quote is from Reagan’s radio address on international trade on August 6, 1983, where he warned against the pitfalls of protectionism: “I’ve seen in my lifetime what happens when leaders forget these timeless principles. They seek to protect industries and jobs, but they end up doing the opposite.”
Mr. Weber elaborated on the historical lessons from the 1930s, stating, “One economic lesson of the 1930s is that protectionism increases international tensions. We bought less from our trading partners, but then they bought less from us. Economic growth dried up. World trade contracted by over 60%, and we had the Great Depression.”
In the same European Parliament debate, Fianna Fáil MEP for the South constituency and member of the Renew Group, Billy Kelleher, expressed his support for Ms. von der Leyen’s stance, highlighting that “the EU has the strength to negotiate and the power to push back.” However, he cautioned that “we must have dialogue.” He emphasized the importance of ensuring that any EU response to U.S. tariffs is executed “strategically and without emotion,” since “some countries are specifically dependent” on sectors that could be adversely affected by any tariff disputes. Kelleher specifically referenced Ireland, underscoring the necessity of maintaining a united EU front, while also acknowledging the individual needs of its member states.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
