EU farmers sound alarm over US tariff war
The European association of farmers and agri-coops Copa-Cogeca, of which the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture (HPK) is a member, has expressed concern over the announced introduction of reciprocal tariffs between the US and the EU, considering them harmful to agriculture, the HPK said.
"EU farmers and agricultural cooperatives, of which we are a member and whose position we support, are concerned about the additional 'reciprocal' tariff of 20% on EU exports to the US announced by US President Trump. The escalation of trade tensions between the two key trading partners, with important synergies in agri-food trade, will end up hurting farmers on both sides of the Atlantic," the HPK stated.
It added that Copa-Cogeca had warned that these tariffs, along with potential retaliatory responses, would have significant repercussions for global trade flows, leading to rising international product prices, declining consumption, and increased costs and difficulties in sourcing essential inputs for agricultural production, CE Report quotes HINA.
"The farming community therefore calls on both administrations to fully exhaust diplomatic channels before resorting to any trade measures and carefully consider the many synergies and benefits of the trade in agri-food products between the EU and the US," the HPK emphasised.
The HPK also recalled that earlier this week, its representatives participated in the European Commission's Civil Dialogue Group on Environment and Climate Change, where discussions focused on the issue of wolves and the European vision for agriculture. The meeting highlighted a strong commitment to the economic sustainability of farmers and underlined the crucial role of biodiversity in agricultural practices. Some participants also called for proactive measures to address the impact of climate change on agriculture.
At the meeting, HPK representatives stressed that reducing red tape, simplifying application procedures and providing greater and more targeted support for small farms were of utmost importance in improving the competitiveness of European and Croatian farmers. They also highlighted the need for stricter controls on imported products, additional measures to promote domestic produce, and the updating and protection of minimum cost prices below which goods should not be traded.
The HPK believes that greater financial support should be provided for innovation through accessible loans and investment subsidies for new technologies, along with better information on available opportunities. It also advocates for establishing a stronger risk insurance system for primary producers, and underlines the importance of attracting new investments and ensuring a safety net for farmers through the promotion of public-private partnerships.
