EU must be 'firm but smart' against Trump's 'big mistake' on tariffs, says António Costa

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EU must be 'firm but smart' against Trump's 'big mistake' on tariffs, says António Costa  A trade war between the European Union and the United States will "affect everyone," António Costa has warned in an exclusive interview with Euronews.  READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/04/02/eu-must-be-firm-but-smart-against-trumps-big-mistake-on-tariffs-says-antonio-costa  Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages

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00:00We expect new tariff sanctions from Washington.

00:03To what extent should the EU's response be, in your opinion, firm?

00:07And do you think the EU has a defined and effective strategy to manage this tariff escalation?

00:14Yes, we have to respond in a firm way, but also in an intelligent way.

00:18This means that we have to come up with a negotiated solution.

00:22Tariffs mean taxes, taxes that American consumers pay,

00:28that American companies will pay.

00:32This won't be good for Americans, but it will also be bad for Europeans.

00:37So, going into a tariff war is not the best way.

00:41Obviously, we have to respond, but in a way that we can find a negotiated solution

00:48to the reciprocal interest for the United States, for Europe,

00:52for the American economy, for the European economy.

00:56But, in general, do you think that the defense mechanism of Europe is adapted and flexible

01:02to deal with rapid, sometimes impulsive actions by the Trump administration,

01:07such as customs tariffs or comments on Greenland?

01:10As you know, the European Commission has all the tools to respond and manage trade.

01:20It no longer depends on Member States.

01:23It is a function of the European Union that we all represent,

01:26and I am sure that the Commission is ready to respond when and if it is necessary.

01:30But I also believe, and I hope, that the efforts of the negotiations

01:36that the Commission has already carried out with the United States,

01:39and in particular with Commissioner Maros Sefcovic,

01:43can succeed, because it is a great economic mistake for the United States,

01:49but also for Europe and for the global world,

01:52because in fact our trade relations represent 30% of global trade relations,

01:5940% of the global GDP.

02:02So it will not only affect Europe and the United States, it will affect everyone.

02:07So it is a big mistake, but I hope that the United States understands the extent of this mistake

02:14and that we can avoid a trade war.

02:18When everyone wants peace, there is no point in creating a war on trade.

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