“Strong positions can be taken. The European Union can play a regulatory role over social networks and the major American tech giants,” stated Mariana Mortágua while commenting on the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a 30% tariff on all European Union products.
The BE leader, who participated in the 13th edition of the Sementeira event in Viseu, asserted that the EU has the power to “curb American giants in the European space.”
“This affects the American economy and it can be done. What is needed is the will and vision to do so,” Mortágua emphasized.
The sole BE deputy recalled that “Trump has long been threatening with this tariff policy that will greatly affect the European and Portuguese industries.”
“What we have witnessed instead of a firm position by the European Union or even the Portuguese government is an attempt at subservience as a way to placate Donald Trump’s competitive instincts,” she lamented.
Mariana Mortágua criticized the focus on “militarized economy as a way to confront Donald Trump’s industrial policy and the EU’s own economic stagnation,” noting that it has not been effective.
“The European Union is losing the race for technological innovation, climate transition, and its own social state, and it has to understand that it will not be able to recover or face Donald Trump’s expansionist policy with a stance of total subservience to militarized policy and U.S. interests,” she stated.
Donald Trump announced today the imposition of 30% tariffs on all EU and Mexican products, starting August 1.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already stated that Brussels remains open to negotiating with the U.S. to reach an agreement before that date.
Von der Leyen reiterated in a statement that Brussels is willing to “work to reach an agreement by August 1,” but also warned that it will “take all necessary measures to safeguard” its interests, “including adopting proportional countermeasures if necessary.”
