"Friendship means partnership. Partnership means truly and truly common tariffs. Appropriate decisions are needed," says Prime Minister Donald Tusk on X. This is his reaction to the decision of the president of the United States, who imposed 20-percent duties on Union products.
Let us add that Poland will not lose much straight on fresh American duties. The Polish economical Institute has leaned over the data and calculated that in the worst case script (the script of an acute trade war between the US and the EU combined with retaliation from the Union) Poland's GDP may decrease by 0.43%. Without retaliatory action, the EU would be somewhat little – 0.38%. At best, we will lose comparatively little: 0.11 to 0.15% of GDP. Maximum drop in exports in many industries should not exceed 4 percent.
The decline may consequence from a disruption of supply chains due to the imposition of additional duties by both parties and a wider scope of restrictions on global trade. This translates into higher production costs and little marketplace availability and deeper uncertainty in markets, reducing investment and exports of Polish companies participating in global supply chains for both the EU and the US.
EU prepares a sharp repost for Trump
The EU is "preparing for further countermeasures" to defend its interests, said Ursula von der Leyen, calling on the US to "move from confrontation to negotiation".
"We are already finalising the first package of remedies in consequence to steel duties. We are now preparing for further measures to defend our interests and our businesses if negotiations fail," said the president of the Commission.
The U.S. president imposed a minimum work of 10% on all countries on Wednesday, and the EU was placed on the list of 60 "worst criminals" and charged a higher rate of 20%. Customs are to enter into force next Wednesday.
Trump besides announced duties on cars produced outside the US, the tariff being 25%. These rates shall enter into force immediately.
"Together with my government colleagues, my officials and the EU, we will examine the situation and best consequence in the coming hours and days. The EU will gotta respond in a proportionate way to defend our citizens, our workers and our businesses," added von der Leyen.
The EU, previously stated in its speech to the European Parliament, has many cards in its hand: from trade to technology, to "the size of our market" and "it will approach these negotiations from the position of strength."
Brussels already has 2 lists of U.S. products that can be covered by tariffs, as previously said by EU officials, including 1 that contains goods covered by suspended tariffs since 2018. Officials said that further measures could be needed that could possibly be targeted at services.
