Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Commission considers that the "reciprocal" trade policy proposed by President Trump is a step in the wrong direction. The European Union remains committed to an open and predictable global trading system that benefits all partners. This is what was stated in a statement by the European Commission issued in Brussels on Friday morning, which also stated:

The European Union maintains some of the lowest tariffs in the world and sees no justification for the US to increase tariffs on its exports. Tariffs are taxes. By imposing tariffs, the United States taxes its citizens, raises business costs, stifles growth and fuels inflation. Tariffs increase economic uncertainty and disrupt the efficiency and integration of global markets.

Global trade has flourished under predictable and transparent rules and low tariffs. For decades, the European Union has worked with trading partners like the United States to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers around the world, promoting this openness through binding commitments in a rules-based trading system – commitments that the United States is now undermining.

The European Union thrives as one of the world’s most open economies, with more than 70% of imports entering at zero tariffs. The EU’s tariffs on imported goods remain among the lowest in the world. Economic integration and the removal of trade barriers have been key to the EU’s success.

We believe in mutually beneficial and balanced trade partnerships, based on transparency and fairness. This is also why the EU has the largest and fastest growing network of trade agreements in the world. The EU has negotiated and concluded more than three times as many trade agreements as the United States.

The EU will react firmly and promptly against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge lawful and non-discriminatory policies. The EU will always protect European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified tariff measures.