German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in a television interview on Sunday, said he sees no impact from the current tariff dispute with the United States on NATO’s military cohesion.
“There is absolutely no doubt that the United States of America is fully committed to the alliance, to NATO and to the defence of Europe,” Wadephul told the public broadcaster programme “Report from Berlin”
“No one in Washington has questioned that so far.”
He added that in Europe people should not start discussing such questions but work together on a strong alliance.
US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he would impose a 10% tariff on goods from eight European countries from February 1, rising to 25% from June 1 if no resolution is reached to his satisfaction, which would be the “complete and total purchase” of Greenland.
Wadephul expects consequences
Given Trump’s tariff move Wadephul is sceptical that the EU tariff agreement negotiated months ago with the US would be ratified by the European Parliament.
“I do not think that in this current situation this agreement is possible,” the foreign minister said.
Asked about possible EU counter-tariffs if Trump’s special tariffs take effect on February 1 as announced, he said that if the US took further measures, “then there will have to be a European response” noting that Europe can act.
“Europe is politically and economically much stronger than some had thought so far, and I think we should make that count now,” Wadephul said.
But he said tariffs would be “poison for transatlantic relations” and that there would now be intensive talks with Washington.
Asked whether there would be an extraordinary EU summit at short notice, Wadephul said he could not say that now.