NATO defense deal to rebalance EU-U.S. trade relations: Antonio Costa
Brussels, Belgium – 18 December: EU Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa Medyalı speaks (Photo Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)
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The President of the European Union Council Antonio Costa told CNBC on Friday, NATO’s agreement on the defense expenditure targets of the Double will re -balance the trade relations with the United States and see that the region will buy more American weapons.
At the beginning of this week, By 2035, NATO allies have doubled the defense expenditure targets from 2% to 2% of Gross Domestic Product.
Costa told Silvia Amaro from CNBC, the movement said that the movement has solved the main issue on trade between Europe and the United States.
“What we decide to do is to strengthen our position and take greater responsibilities in our own defense. Then I think we have solved the main problem and then I think the road is laid to solve other problems.” He said.
According to Costa, at least some of these high defense expenditures will be used to “buy American”.
“And of course, if we buy more Americans, that means that the trade relations are re -balanced. Then this is the reason – because I always said that we could not separate these two negotiations about defense – [that this] It was the most important issue for the United States and [it] Already solved. “
Costa, who served as the Portuguese Prime Minister until last year, added Trump’s military agreement that the military agreement was a “big gain” and effectively balanced the burden sharing on the defense.
In early July of US President Donald Trump, US President Donald is one of the trading partners who hurried to make an agreement with Washington in early July, called mutual tariffs on imports from almost all countries.
After the US submitted a new proposal to the European Commission, steps were taken for an agreement this week. The markets were also buoyed by the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, with a statement that the deadline for restarting tariffs on nations was not “critical”.
“Perhaps it can be expanded, but this is a decision for the president to give.” He said.
When asked whether the EU can reach an agreement before the deadline for July, Costa said the European Commission is currently evaluating the White House’s trade proposal.
“Both sides are very busy to find a solution, and I hope we will do it before the ninth July,” he said.
