Appeasement will not relieve the EU of pressure

As a major economic powerhouse and trading entity, the European Union holds great responsibility for upholding an open global economy. It must therefore avoid sending the wrong signals to Washington, which has been engaging in unjustified global trade and tariff conflicts in pursuit of its geopolitical objectives.

Brussels has been working hard lately in the hope of persuading Washington to spare the bloc from its punitive tariffs, which include 25 percent on EU steel, aluminum and cars. On Tuesday, the EU officially paused for 90 days its retaliatory tariffs against the US' steel and aluminum tariffs despite the fact that the US having not suspended its metal tariffs.

Emphasizing the EU's readiness for a fair deal and reciprocity, notably through its proposed 0-for-0 tariff arrangement on industrial goods and addressing nontariff barriers, European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic travelled to Washington early this week to explore a mutual solution within the 90-day window.