Sweden Endorses Expanded Countermeasures Against US Tariffs
Sweden votes to expand countermeasures against US tariffs, aiming for a trade deal with the EU.
Key Points
- • Sweden voted for expanded countermeasures against US tariffs.
- • The decision aims to pressure the US into a trade agreement with the EU.
- • Several crucial goods for Swedish industry were removed from the countermeasure package.
- • The EU's countermeasures on American goods could reach 93 billion euros if talks fail.
In a significant parliamentary move, Sweden has voted in favor of expanded countermeasures against US tariffs affecting EU products. This decision, as confirmed by Swedish Minister of Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa, aims to exert pressure on the US government to negotiate a trade agreement with the European Union. The vote, which took place on Thursday morning, reflects broader EU intentions to address the US tariffs, with plans to enact countermeasures valued at 93 billion euros on American goods if negotiations remain unsatisfactory.
Notably, Dousa highlighted that several critical goods essential for the Swedish industry have been successfully excluded from the countermeasure package. This strategic adjustment is seen as crucial for safeguarding Swedish jobs and industry interests amidst escalating trade tensions. Olof Gill, the EU's trade spokesperson, also remarked that a trade deal with the US appears to be 'within reach.'
Moreover, the timing of this vote coincides with the postponement of separate trade negotiations between the US and South Korea, attributed to scheduling conflicts involving US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. As these events unfold, Europe's unified stance toward US tariffs continues to evolve, potentially impacting future trade relations significantly.