Ursula von der Leyen proposes a negotiated solution to the Trump administration to avoid escalating tariffs, while preparing for a possible return of the threat of a GAFA tax. The fateful figure fell from Donald Trump’s mouth yesterday: all imports of goods from the EU to the US will be subject to a 20% tariff. At the same time, the 25% tariff on foreign vehicles announced at the end of March will apply from today, in addition to the tariff on steel and aluminum. For the Trump administration, this is a rebalancing, his government having calculated that the costs for US companies to do business in Europe, whether related to regulation or tax measures, are equivalent to a 39% tariff. It’s not clear how the calculation was made, but, as it has done for other countries, the Trump administration has calculated a figure, and divided it by two to set the tariff to be imposed…
