7주차 | 경제·금융·무역_김현서

[김현서]

Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary debate on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 March 2025

Speaker: Ursula von der Leyen

Date: 2025/04/01

Word Count : 441

1. European Council : EU 집행위원회

Honourable Members of European Council, ladies and gentlemen.

Today, I would like to focus on the threats to global prosperity and stability and the rise of protectionism. And as our domestic agenda cannot be seen separately from global developments around us, let me start with the US tariffs.

When the dream of a united Europe began, it started with a simple idea: Let us create one Single Market. Let us break barriers and take tariffs down. This is what made us strong. Because our companies grew. And so did the ties that bind us together.

And then in the same spirit, we worked with partners across the world – including America. We built connections that we believed were unbreakable. And trade brought more than prosperity. It brought the idea of a shared way of life. And with commerce, our partnership has also grown.

Countless are the friendships across the Atlantic. And because of this collective experience, so many Europeans feel utterly disheartened by the announcements from the US.

Let me be clear: Europe did not start this confrontation. We think it is wrong. But my message to you today is also that we have everything we need to protect our people and our prosperity. We have the largest Single Market in the world. We have the strength to negotiate. We have the power to push back. And the people of Europe should know: Together we will always promote and defend our interests and values. And we will always stand up for Europe.

So far, the US administration has announced a 25% increase of tariffs on imports of steel, aluminium, cars and car parts. The next sectors facing tariffs will be semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and timber. And tomorrow we expect another announcement – with so-called ‘reciprocal' tariffs that will immediately apply to almost all goods and many countries in the world. Of course there are severe issues in the world of trade.

Overcapacities, imbalances, unfair subsidies, denial of market access, intellectual property theft. I hear Americans, when they say some others have taken advantage of the rules. I agree. We also suffer from it. So let us work on it. But tariffs across the board make things worse, not better.

Tariffs are taxes that will be paid by the people. Tariffs are taxes for the Americans on their groceries and their medication. Tariffs will just fuel inflation. Exactly the opposite of what we want to achieve. American factories will pay more for components that are produced in Europe. This will cost jobs. It will create a bureaucratic monster of new customs procedures. And today nobody needs that – neither in the US nor in Europe.