“Transatlantic trade is important for all, but we would like to see respectful discussions from both sides, because we treat the US as a partner, not a rival,” she told reporters in Sofia on Thursday when asked to comment on Donald Tusk‘s statement regarding US President Donald Trump.
Speaking about Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, the EU president said, “Looking at latest decisions of Donald Trump someone could even think: with friends like that who needs enemies.”
Grybauskaitė did not comment on the statement itself.
The EU leaders on Wednesday agreed to “strengthen” the European Commission as it seeks to negotiate a permanent exemption from the US tariffs, which are due to come into effect on June 1.