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US ELECTION

PM Sanchez hails Biden win as good for Spain and EU

Spain's prime minister on Tuesday hailed Joe Biden's presidential election win in the United States, saying it was "very good news for Spain and the European Union".

PM Sanchez hails Biden win as good for Spain and EU
Photo: AFP

The Democrat, who is to replace Republican Donald Trump as US president in January, is seen as more sympathetic to Europe and more of a multilateralist on trade and international affairs.

“I think this is very good news for Spain and the European Union after four complex and difficult years which we have had with the outgoing (Trump) administration,” said Pedro Sanchez during a debate in the Senate when asked about the outcome of the US election.   

The socialist prime minister recalled that Trump had “raised tariffs which affected important sectors of our economy such as the agro-industry”.   

“We are all very aware of what happened during the last four years.. with respect to the European Union,” Sanchez said.

As the world's largest olive and olive oil producing country, Spain was hit hard when Washington imposed duties of around 35 percent on black Spanish olives in 2018 after saying they were being sold too cheaply and benefited from unfair subsidies that hurt US producers.   

The Trump administration also imposed stiff import tariffs on several other European agricultural products, including Spanish olive oil, wine and cheese, in a long-running spat over subsidies to planemaker Airbus.

In addition, Washington slapped tariffs on EU steel and aluminium and constantly waved a threat of levies against Germany's world-leading auto industry.

Sanchez had tweeted his congratulations when Biden's victory became apparent.

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Merkel calls for new EU-US trade deal

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Wednesday for a sweeping new free trade deal between the EU and the United States, after previous efforts faltered amid mass protests and transatlantic tensions.

Merkel calls for new EU-US trade deal
An 'Origin: Germany' sign on a package. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild | Jens Kalaene

Against the backdrop of revived ties with Washington since President Joe Biden took office, Merkel said that both sides stood to benefit from such a pact.

READ ALSO: Merkel invites Biden to Germany ‘as soon as pandemic allows’

“I’ve always advocated a trade agreement between the US and the EU,” she told a foreign policy congress, noting that the 27-member bloc had hammered out such agreements with regions around the world.

Merkel, who will leave office after a general election in September, said it would be “very, very sensible” to use the template of the EU-Canada deal which cut tariffs and promotes exports to deepen economic relations with the United States.

“There is much to do for transatlantic cooperation in a turbulent world which needs partnerships,” she said.

“That’s why I’m pleased that we have new possibilities with the new (Biden) administration which the German government would like to seize.”

Years-long talks on an ambitious Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) stalled following widespread protests in Germany, France and Austria over fears it would undermine EU standards on food and health.

They collapsed for good under US President Donald Trump who took a confrontational approach toward the EU on trade matters.

Biden has expressed a keen interest in restoring transatlantic relations including trade cooperation, even as he promotes a “Buy American” message European officials have seen as protectionist.

READ ALSO: What could Joe Biden as US president mean for Germany?

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