Trump shrugs off EU’s reported plans for Trump-style import curbs on food

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida - US President Donald Trump on Feb 16 shrugged off the EU’s reported push to block imports of US soya beans and other foods made to different standards, warning that such a move would only hurt Europe itself.

Mr Trump, speaking to reporters after a quick trip to Daytona Beach for the Daytona 500 car race, said the US was sticking to its plans to start implementing reciprocal tariffs.

“That’s all right. I don’t mind. Let them do it. Let them do it. It’s just hurting themselves if they do that,” he said.

The Financial Times reported earlier on Feb 16 that the European Commission would agree next week to explore tough import limits on certain foods made to different standards in an effort to protect its farmers, echoing Mr Trump’s reciprocal trade policy.

Early targets could include US crops such as soya beans grown using pesticides that EU farmers are not allowed to use, the report said, citing three officials it did not name.

Asked about the report earlier, a White House official said Mr Trump was fighting for fair and reciprocal trade and would stand up for American farmers.

“We will continue to look to open markets all over the world for high-quality American products,” the official said.

Tensions are running high between the US and the EU after Mr Trump’s decision to impose

25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium

from March 12; reciprocal tariffs from April; and separate tariffs on cars, pharmaceuticals and semiconductor chips. All those tariffs would stack on top of one another, US officials have said.

European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is expected to travel to Washington on Feb 17 for meetings with US officials on the new trade policy, the European Commission said.

Mr Sefcovic, who had a first telephone call with US counterparts last week, is due to speak at the American Enterprise Institute think-tank, which is closely aligned with Mr Trump’s Republican Party, on Feb 19. REUTERS