PRAGUE, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Monday that Europe must be prepared for a bad outcome in tariff negotiations with the United States, while continuing efforts to secure a good deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that his country will impose a 30-percent tariff on imports of goods from the European Union (EU) as of Aug. 1.
"It would not be good either for the EU or the Czech Republic. As a supporter of free trade and duty-free zones, I think it would not be good for the U.S. either," Fiala was quoted as saying by the Czech News Agency.
The impact of tariffs on the Czech economy could be several tenths of a percent of gross domestic product, depending on their specific form, he added.
According to Fiala, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen informed him about the progress of the negotiations and the next steps over the weekend.
"There is a clear consensus in Europe that we have to be prepared for a bad outcome, but in any case, we have to try to get a good deal. The chance is still there," he said.
On Saturday, Fiala already said that the introduction of 30 percent tariffs would negatively affect trade relations between the EU and the United States.
Czech Minister for Industry and Trade Lukas Vlcek also stated on Saturday that he "sees no reason" for the 30 percent tariffs by the United States.
"The European Union remains united and prepared to protect its interests. Nothing changes the fact that, in our view, it would benefit both parties, which form the world's largest trade relationship, to reach an agreement," Vlcek said on social media platform X, adding that he is in regular contact with European partners and representatives of Czech business and state administration to address the situation. ■
