BRUSSELS: The EU’s top trade official said Friday that “dialogue” with Washington was the bloc’s “prime option” as it seeks to win exemptions from US President Donald Trump’s controversial new steel and aluminium tariffs. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said the bloc was “not preparing for battle” but had to be ready to protect its industry. Earlier this week she warned the US tariffs could jeopardise thousands of European jobs. “Dialogue is always the prime option of the European Union,” Malmstroem said, adding that Brussels was “counting on being excluded” from the new duties. Trump imposed the tariffs – 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminium – despite repeated warnings from the EU and other allies that this could trigger a full-on trade war.

Source: New Strait Times March 09, 2018 09:11 UTC