“We must respond with the strength that Europe possesses. Together we represent a significant market; collectively, we are an important group, a major economic and commercial bloc. In this regard, we need to demonstrate our strength,” stated Armindo Monteiro to journalists upon arriving at the plenary meeting of the Permanent Commission for Social Coordination in Lisbon.
The president of CIP was reacting to the new 20% tariffs on European Union imports announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. These tariffs add to existing 25% tariffs on the automotive, steel, and aluminum sectors.
Trump’s new tariffs aim to bolster U.S. industry while penalizing countries for what he claims are years of unfair trade practices. These measures apply to all imports, with additional levies on nations deemed particularly unfriendly to U.S. trade.
“What we are discussing here is a position of strength to secure concessions in another area—diplomatic or other sectors,” said Armindo Monteiro. He highlighted that if it were solely a trade issue, countries or blocs would meet, find a solution, and negotiate tariffs from there.
“What occurred was a unilateral tariff proclamation,” he pointed out, asserting that Europe’s response should be unified, highlighting its significance as an import and export market, and that it could also “threaten with tariffs” if necessary.
Monteiro emphasized the importance of responding with a strategy, something he believes is lacking in the United States.
“This word ‘tariff’ is Mr. Donald Trump’s favorite. We must show it is not ours. Our preferred words are ‘ethics’, ‘economy’, ‘commerce’, but all with values and done reliably, something absent across the Atlantic at the moment,” he emphasized.
The CIP president suggested it is both desirable and possible for Trump to reconsider this decision; otherwise, it would trigger a global crisis that primarily harms Americans.
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