Bratislava – For the negotiated tariffs on European goods imported to the USA at a rate of 15%, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico (Smer-SD), praised the European Commissioner for Trade, Maroš Šefčovič, but the Slovak opposition does not consider the negotiated tariffs a success. Opposition representatives agreed that the increase in tariffs, which will primarily affect the automotive industry in Slovakia, will reduce the competitiveness of this sector and also impact employment, TASR reports.
Prime Minister Robert I am congratulated European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič on social media for achieving a trade agreement with the USA. According to Fico, the negotiated tariffs on European goods imported to the USA at a rate of 15% are a good result. It is also true that the devil is in the details, the Prime Minister stated on social media.
The EU has yielded to Donald Trump’s pressure, and Slovakia will pay the highest price for it
The opposition PS does not consider the trade agreement between the EU and the USA to be good for Europe, Slovakia, or the Slovak economy. The chairman of PS, Michal Šimečkastated that the EU has yielded to Donald Trump’s pressure, and Slovakia will pay the highest price for it.
“Despite the agreement between the EU and the USA, Slovakia is the most affected country in the Union regarding the 15% tariffs on cars. And instead of defending our key industry, Prime Minister Fico is celebrating. In the European Parliament, I will demand that the European Commission assess the impacts of the agreement on individual sectors and propose measures for those that will be at a disadvantage – like our automotive industry,” stated MEP Ľubica Karvašová from the PS party.
According to the leader of the Slovakia Igor Matovičthe agreement on the 15% tariffs is not a reason to celebrate. “Paying 15% on our exports means less work, lower wages, and more unemployed. All of Europe will suffer, but Slovakia will suffer the most,” Matovič stated.
The Chairwoman of the People Veronika Remišová warned that the increased tariffs will reduce the competitiveness of the Slovak automotive industry. “This means less production, less export, fewer jobs, an economic downturn, and a worse quality of life for people,” she added. She reminded that while some countries negotiated exemptions for certain goods within the tariffs, representatives of Slovakia did not negotiate anything for the country, in her opinion.
The opposition SaS considers the increase in tariffs a defeat for all citizens. “First and foremost, the increase in tariffs, the 15%, is a defeat for all citizens – both European and American. Americans will pay more, Europeans will have less work. It is simply a defeat for everyone,” stated MP Marián Viskupič (SaS).
According to the opposition KDH, it is good that an agreement was reached with our largest trading partner, the USA. However, they do not consider the level of agreed tariffs for the import of goods from the EU, despite their reduction from the original proposal, to be a victory. “Unfortunately, the EU, through its Commissioner Šefčovič, was unable to negotiate a better result. The tariffs on cars and other products at a rate of 15% can still be considered too high and risky, and are very dangerous for the Slovak automotive industry given the current strong euro exchange rate against the dollar,” KDH stated to the media. It is important, according to the movement, that the EU strives to eliminate these tariffs in the future.
A new trade agreement was announced by the European Commission and US President Donald Trump on Sunday (July 27) evening after several months of negotiations. (July 28)
