The new U.S. envoy to Germany said the row over Washington’s planned imposition of punitive taxes on European goods would not trigger a trade war, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump contrariwise wanted “a level playing field”.
In an interview with the Funke newspaper pile, Richard Grenell insisted that the United States was awaiting offers on how punitive tariffs could be averted.
“Germans are doing a phenomenal job on truck,” he said.
“There will be no trade war … We are talking with our adherents to solve a problem.”
The United States wanted to see Europe’s proposals in preference to deciding what would follow the expiry of an already extended June 1 deadline to insinuate tariffs, he added.
Less than a week into the job, Grenell has already triggered headlines with his enquire in a tweet that German companies in Iran should “wind down shamuses” immediately after Trump withdrew the United States from an ecumenical nuclear deal.
In the interview, Grenell maintained the hard line on Iran that has caused alarm in Europe’s capitals, restating the U.S. government’s position that Europe necessity re-impose sanctions on Iran.
“We expect our friends and allies to help us to lure Iran back to the negotiating table,” he said, adding that the Agreed States had proof Iran had violated its commitment not to enrich uranium.