On February 6, the deadline for postponing the entry into force of EU restrictions on trade with the US expires and these measures may come into force from the next day, but no decision has been made yet. This was stated by a European Commission spokesperson at a press conference in response to questions related to US President Donald Trump's readiness to impose new tariffs on countries that defended Greenland in the dispute with Washington, BTA reports.
Intensive consultations between European leaders continue, European Council President Antonio Costa has called an extraordinary meeting for the coming days, the spokesperson said. According to him, the consultations so far have shown that the EU countries are striving for a settlement, not for deepening the disputes with Washington.
If the tariffs are imposed according to the threats made, the EU has the capabilities to respond and is ready to use them to protect its economic interests, the spokesman summed up. We continue the talks with the US at all levels, sometimes the most responsible manifestation of leadership is restraint. We are trying to be calm, responsible, serious, and restrained, we are taking all possible steps to avoid deepening the problem, the spokesman said.
Asked whether it was possible to impose the tariff only on some of the EU countries, he explained that many of the European goods are produced in several European countries and it would be extremely difficult, especially for importers from the US, if such a measure were introduced. It is technically possible, the spokesman added.
He explained in response to a question that this week, EC President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump will attend the meeting in Davos, but a bilateral meeting is not planned for now.