President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen holds a press conference at European Parliament headquarters in Strasbourg, France on 17/09/2024. VDL Von Der Leyen introduced the composition of her new European Commission to the European Parliament, presented by Wiktor Dabkowski.
President outlines the new structure of the European Commission, Strasbourg, Bxl, France – 17 Sep 2024
“Our immediate response is unity and determination. I have already been in contact with our Heads of State and Government regarding the next steps. Today we will have the parliamentary debate. We will carefully evaluate the announcements from tomorrow (from the United States, editor’s note) to calibrate our response,” Von der Leyen explained. “Our goal is a negotiated solution. However, if necessary, we will protect our interests, our people, and our businesses. I want to be very clear about the purpose of our response. We believe that this confrontation is not in anyone’s interest. The flow of goods and services between us is almost balanced. We are willing to work on the trade balance of goods and services. This is the largest and most prosperous trade relationship in the world. We would all be better off if we could find a constructive solution.”
“Our strategy is based on three pillars. First, we are open to negotiations, but we will approach these negotiations from a position of strength,” the EU Commission President emphasized. “Europe has many cards to play. From trade to technology, to the size of our market. But this strength also relies on our readiness to adopt firm countermeasures. All options are on the table. Second, we will continue to diversify our trade with other partners. And third, we will double our efforts on our Single Market. It is our powerful catalyst for growth, prosperity, and solidarity.”
“There are serious issues in the trade world: overcapacity, imbalances, unfair subsidies, market access denial, and intellectual property theft,” explained Von der Leyen. “Americans claim that others have exploited the rules. I agree. We suffer from it too. So let’s work on it. But tariffs worsen situations, they do not improve them. They are taxes that will be paid by the people. They are taxes for Americans on their food and medicines. They will only fuel inflation. Exactly the opposite of what we want to achieve. American factories will pay more for components made in Europe. This will cost jobs. It will create a bureaucratic monster of new customs procedures. And today, no one needs that, neither in the USA nor in Europe.”
– Photo IPA Agency –
