Key Takeaways
- European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas questioned the United States' rationale for imposing new tariffs on EU goods.
- Kallas stated that allegations of forced labor issues in the EU are unfounded and highlighted better labor conditions within the bloc.
- The US imposed new tariffs on 60 trading partners, including the EU, over concerns about lax enforcement of forced labor bans.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has challenged the United States' rationale for imposing new tariffs on European goods. Speaking during a press conference in Manila, Philippines, Kallas expressed her skepticism regarding allegations of shortcomings in the bloc's forced labor controls, stating that such claims are unfounded.
Kallas emphasized that the EU’s labor laws are superior to those in the US, citing paid vacations and good working conditions for employees as key points. She added: 'You can’t say that for the European Union,' during her remarks to Reuters.
The new tariffs, which include a 10% and 12.5% levy on goods from 60 trading partners, including the EU, were imposed by the Trump administration over allegations of lax enforcement of forced labor bans. This comes as a temporary 10% global tariff is set to expire.
In response to whether the EU expected to be included in the US action, Kallas replied: 'Who can keep track of the tariffs going on and off? No, we were not expecting this.' The imposition of these tariffs marks the latest effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to restore his campaign vision of near-global tariff policies.
Kallas also addressed concerns about the EU's trade agreement with America. She stated: 'We had a deal with America and we have kept to that deal, that side of the deal. That’s why this is a negative surprise that this agreement is not kept.' The bloc has honored its commitments under a transatlantic trade agreement reached last year.
Separately, Kallas discussed the EU's latest sanctions package against Russia, aimed at putting more pressure on Moscow and limiting its ability to finance the war in Ukraine. She explained: 'It is to deprive them of the financing of this war.' The European Union approved its 21st sanctions package against Russia over its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Kallas highlighted that sanctions are part of a broader strategy by the EU to pressure Russia into serious negotiations with Ukraine. She said: 'We have different elements of this approach. The sanctions are just one of them, we are looking at what more we can do to pressure Russia to actually sit around the negotiation table and negotiate with Ukraine.'
'You can’t say that for the European Union,'
Kaja Kallas, European Union foreign policy chief
'We had a deal with America and we have kept to that deal, that side of the deal.'
Kaja Kallas, European Union foreign policy chief
'It is to deprive them of the financing of this war,'
Kaja Kallas, European Union foreign policy chief
