European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says the EU will remain indivisible in the face of US bids to split the bloc on trade through encouraging bilateral deals with member states.
In a message to US President Donald Trump before their talks in Washington next week, Juncker said at a press conference on Wednesday that the US was trying “in vain” to divide the EU with regards to trade, noting that he would like to make Trump understand that “the European Union and its single market are indivisible.”
“It seems to me all these efforts to have bilateral ties, which must take place between our partners and the commission and therefore the EU, must be better explained,” Juncker added.
Trump imposed duties of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum in March.
In retaliation, the EU slapped tariffs on classic American goods, such as tobacco and motorcycles, prompting Trump to suggest hefty levies on European…