‘We don’t want to escalate things. At the same time, we also have to flex our muscles,’ Rasmussen warned.

On Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 30 percent tariffs on European Union (EU) exports as absolutely unacceptable.

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The bloc views the threat as “absolutely unacceptable and unjustified” and is prepared to respond if talks with Washington fail to produce a viable outcome, he said during a joint press conference with Maros Sefcovic, the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security.

“We are committed to continuing working with the United States on a negotiated outcome,” he said, but the agreement has to be “mutually acceptable” on both sides. He revealed that the EU will react with robust and proportionate countermeasures if required.

“We don’t want any kind of trade war with the United States. It would be devastating not only for the Americans but also for Europe. We don’t want to escalate things. At the same time, we also have to flex our muscles,” Rasmussen warned.

“We must not rule out any possibilities. We have to prepare for retaliation and be open to using any tool,” added the Danish diplomat, whose country has just taken over the rotating presidency of the EU Council.

Sefcovic noted that the 27-country bloc is preparing potential countermeasures worth 72 billion euros (US$84 billion). “We must be prepared for all outcomes, including, if necessary, well-considered proportionate measures to restore balance in our transatlantic relationship,” he stressed.

The European Trade Commissioner believes there is “still a potential to continue the negotiations” but stressed any deal will need the backing of all EU member states and the European Parliament.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua – EFE

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