May 30, 2018 - Economy

U.S. tells Europe to follow China’s example on paying tariffs

Wilbur Ross.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Photo: Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross criticized the European Union on Wednesday for not negotiating on trade thanks to the United States' steel and aluminum tariffs, citing China as a counterexample, CNBC reports:

"China are paying their tariffs ... China hasn't used that as an excuse not to negotiate ... It's only the EU that is insisting we can't negotiate if there are tariffs."

The big picture: Dutch Foreign Trade and Development Minister Sigrid Kaag said at an economic forum in Paris on Wednesday that EU lawmakers are open to trade talks, but won't "negotiate under threat," per CNBC.

Go deeper