Kallas on Trump Tariffs: There Are No Winners in Trade Wars

This was stated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Pichi Kaja Kallas, on the steps of an informal meeting of EU defense ministers in Warsaw on Thursday, commenting on the introduction of duties by the United States, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“There are no winners in trade wars, and it is clear that all these tariffs will lead to higher prices for consumers, and ultimately we will pay the price,” Kallas said.

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In this context, she emphasized that EU member states continue to engage critically with the US in defense. At the same time, with its own White Paper on Defense, the EU will now look at ways to strengthen its defense industry.

“We currently buy a lot from the Americans, but we need to diversify our portfolio to be able to produce ammunition and other items that we need, and also to be able to buy from other allies to ensure that our portfolio is diverse,” the EU High Representative stressed.

Regarding the implementation of the provisions of the White Paper on the Future of European Defence, Kallas noted that the issue of its implementation by member states is on the agenda. According to the diplomat, this should be done as soon as possible, but no later than 2030.

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As reported by Ukrinform, US President Donald Trump announced the introduction of large-scale general tariffs against the country's trading partners, calling it America's “Liberation Day.”

The EU White Paper “Readiness for 2030” proposes to create conditions under which European countries will be able to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP.