04:10The European Council President Donald Tusk addressed the press ahead of the G7 Summit in Biarritz on Saturday, stating how 'urgent' and 'essential' is was to build unity among its members on key issues such as the climate crisis and trade wars.
Tusk highlighted that the defence of liberal democracy, the rule of law and human rights was a key issue before moving to the topic of recent fires in the Amazon. The European Council president said he would stand by the free trade agreement signed by the EU and Mercosur earlier this year, but since the agreement includes environmental protection clauses, the ratification process of EU members would not be harmonious if they do not obey in taking care of the Amazon.
Another topic addressed in the press conference was the need to end trade wars, especially the ongoing tug-of-war between the United States and China, which could put all countries in a risky situation.
"For me that's absolutely clear that if someone for example the United States, President Trump, uses tariffs and taxation as a political instrument, tool for some different political reasons, it means that this confrontation can be really risky for the whole world including the EU," Tusk stated.
The G7 summit is taking place in Biarritz on August 24-26 and gathers the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US, alongside EU counterparts.
France: Tusk hopes 'common solutions' will trump 'senseless disputes' at G7
The European Council President Donald Tusk addressed the press ahead of the G7 Summit in Biarritz on Saturday, stating how 'urgent' and 'essential' is was to build unity among its members on key issues such as the climate crisis and trade wars.
Tusk highlighted that the defence of liberal democracy, the rule of law and human rights was a key issue before moving to the topic of recent fires in the Amazon. The European Council president said he would stand by the free trade agreement signed by the EU and Mercosur earlier this year, but since the agreement includes environmental protection clauses, the ratification process of EU members would not be harmonious if they do not obey in taking care of the Amazon.
Another topic addressed in the press conference was the need to end trade wars, especially the ongoing tug-of-war between the United States and China, which could put all countries in a risky situation.
"For me that's absolutely clear that if someone for example the United States, President Trump, uses tariffs and taxation as a political instrument, tool for some different political reasons, it means that this confrontation can be really risky for the whole world including the EU," Tusk stated.
The G7 summit is taking place in Biarritz on August 24-26 and gathers the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US, alongside EU counterparts.
The European Council President Donald Tusk addressed the press ahead of the G7 Summit in Biarritz on Saturday, stating how 'urgent' and 'essential' is was to build unity among its members on key issues such as the climate crisis and trade wars.
Tusk highlighted that the defence of liberal democracy, the rule of law and human rights was a key issue before moving to the topic of recent fires in the Amazon. The European Council president said he would stand by the free trade agreement signed by the EU and Mercosur earlier this year, but since the agreement includes environmental protection clauses, the ratification process of EU members would not be harmonious if they do not obey in taking care of the Amazon.
Another topic addressed in the press conference was the need to end trade wars, especially the ongoing tug-of-war between the United States and China, which could put all countries in a risky situation.
"For me that's absolutely clear that if someone for example the United States, President Trump, uses tariffs and taxation as a political instrument, tool for some different political reasons, it means that this confrontation can be really risky for the whole world including the EU," Tusk stated.
The G7 summit is taking place in Biarritz on August 24-26 and gathers the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US, alongside EU counterparts.