Rubio says US could engage in new trade deals after tariffs imposed
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US would retaliate against nations that had imposed tariffs on it.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON - Once the US has imposed tariffs on its major trading partners, it could engage in bilateral talks with countries on new trade arrangements, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 16.
US President Donald Trump threatened on March 13 to slap a tariff of 200 per cent on wine, cognac and other alcohol imports from Europe, opening a new front in a global trade war that has roiled financial markets and raised recession fears.
Mr Rubio said the US would retaliate against nations that had imposed tariffs on it.
“This is global. It’s not against Canada, it’s not against Mexico, it’s not against the EU (European Union), it’s everybody,” he told CBS show Face The Nation.
“And then, from that new baseline of fairness and reciprocity, we will engage – potentially – in bilateral negotiations with countries around the world on new trade arrangements that make sense for both sides.”
Mr Rubio, who did not give details of what the new deals could look like, said the US would “reset the baseline” to ensure it was treated fairly.
“We don’t like the status quo. We are going to set a new status quo, and then we can negotiate something, if they (other nations) want to,” he said. “What we have now cannot continue.” REUTERS
