Poland’s foreign minister has pushed back against Donald Trump’s claim that the U.S. trade deficit with the EU is an “atrocity,” pointing to the country’s “huge” surplus in the trade of services.
Radosław Sikorski told journalists in Brussels on Thursday that the U.S. president’s claims of trade disparity with the bloc were misleading.
“I hope all participants base their opinions and decisions on facts,” Politico quoted him as saying. “Whereas Europe has a surplus in trade in visible goods [with the U.S.], the U.S. has a huge surplus in the export of services.”
Sikorski listed services including Uber and Netflix that bring revenue to U.S. coffers.
“Every time we use social media or AI, U.S. industry benefits,” he said. “There are also huge investment flows ... Overall, this is hugely mutually beneficial.”
Politico reported that in 2023, according to EU figures, the U.S. trade deficit with the bloc stood at €156.6 billion in terms of goods, while with respect to services, the U.S. recorded a surplus of €108.6 billion, resulting in a balance of trade of €48 billion in the EU’s favor.
“I hope all participants base their opinions and decisions on facts,” Politico quoted him as saying. “Whereas Europe has a surplus in trade in visible goods [with the U.S.], the U.S. has a huge surplus in the export of services.”
Sikorski listed services including Uber and Netflix that bring revenue to U.S. coffers.
“Every time we use social media or AI, U.S. industry benefits,” he said. “There are also huge investment flows ... Overall, this is hugely mutually beneficial.”
Politico reported that in 2023, according to EU figures, the U.S. trade deficit with the bloc stood at €156.6 billion in terms of goods, while with respect to services, the U.S. recorded a surplus of €108.6 billion, resulting in a balance of trade of €48 billion in the EU’s favor.
Looming trade war
The EU seeks to avert or mitigate a trade war with Washington after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% on China, declaring that he would “absolutely” follow suit with the EU.
The U.S.’s two neighbors subsequently did deals with the Trump administration leading to a 30-day pause in the tariff’s implementation. Brussels hopes to make similar arrangements, Politico reported, with increased imports of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) likely to be a key bargaining chip.
Sikorski pointed out that Poland already buys a “huge amount” of LNG from the U.S., adding that the rest of Europe needs to “gain credibility” with the White House, in part by increasing defense spending.
The Polish foreign minister also cautioned against alarm over Trump’s statements.
“I think we should judge actions rather than words,” he said. “Things are moving very fast. It's important not to overreact.”
The U.S.’s two neighbors subsequently did deals with the Trump administration leading to a 30-day pause in the tariff’s implementation. Brussels hopes to make similar arrangements, Politico reported, with increased imports of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) likely to be a key bargaining chip.
Sikorski pointed out that Poland already buys a “huge amount” of LNG from the U.S., adding that the rest of Europe needs to “gain credibility” with the White House, in part by increasing defense spending.
The Polish foreign minister also cautioned against alarm over Trump’s statements.
“I think we should judge actions rather than words,” he said. “Things are moving very fast. It's important not to overreact.”
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