By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) – Hungary’s foreign minister on Wednesday blasted the EU’s handling of trade policy with the US, accusing EU leaders of incompetence and warning that their actions could trigger another economic blow to Europe.
Posting on X, Peter Szijjarto claimed the EU had "failed big time" in managing transatlantic trade relations, particularly in the automotive sector, where tariff imbalances persist.
"Unfortunately, it must be said that it has once again been proven that in Brussels incompetent people are leading the European institutions, who are also suffering from a very serious (US Donald) Trump-phobia," he said in a video message.
Highlighting a disparity in tariffs, he said Europe imposes a 10% tariff on US vehicles, while the US imposes only 2.5% on European cars. He argued that the EU should have preemptively reduced its own tariffs to 2.5% to create leverage for negotiations, rather than risking potential retaliatory measures from Washington.
"A negotiating position could have been created, negotiations could have taken place, and a decision would not have been taken across the ocean that could have resulted in higher tariffs," he said, referring to possible US plans by US President Donald Trump to raise tariffs.
Szijjarto urged the European Commission to "get its act together" and open talks with the US on customs cooperation before the situation escalates further.
"If they continue like this, it will be another blow to the European economy," he warned.