Brussels, Belgium – belgian Minister of Economy David Clarinval warned of potential retaliatoryโ measures if former U.S.president Donald Trump implementsโ a proposed 100% tariff on pharmaceuticals imported from Belgium,a significant escalationโค from a previously agreed-upon 15%โ rate. Clarinval,โค speaking to La Libre Belgique, emphasized the importance of upholding existing trade agreements.
“An agreement has been concluded, it must be respected. If Trump decides to switch to 100 % asโ he does for โother countries, we will have to renegotiate, and this time, we will have to show the teeth,” Clarinvalโข stated. “It is out of the question to accept such a questioning of โฃan agreement in a โฃsector as strategic as that of drugs.”
The commentsโ comeโ amid broader concerns about potential trade disruptions should Trump win the โupcoming U.S. presidential election. Clarinval โadvocated for a firm but balanced approach to trade, urging โstrengthโ against unfair practices while remainingโ open to partners committed to fair competition. “We must โbe firm with those โwho are notโฃ correct vis-ร -vis us โand who use the market for little loyal purposes. But in parallel, we must remain open โwith the regions of the world which respect loyal competition. You have to โขstay open, but not naive,” โhe said.
Separately,โ Clarinval highlighted the โขBelgian โgovernment’s significant investment in โฃthe defense โsector, aiming to maximize economic benefits for the country. โHe stated that the government is โworking with Federal Ministerโข ofโข Defense Theo Francken to establish a framework โฃensuring a considerable portion โฃof defense funds are reinvested โขinto the Belgian economy. Agoria, aโข belgian industry federation,โ estimates thisโ initiative will create 8,000โค new jobs withinโ the sector.
