LEADERS from the European Union voiced support for a unified position in confronting the United States over trade, even as two of its largest members differed over what conditions should be met in order for discussions to take place.

“It’s either you strike a deal with all, or you don’t strike a deal,” Wopke Hoekstra, Dutch finance minister, told reporters Sunday in an interview at the Group of 20 nations meeting in Buenos Aires. “One of the things that is very clear from this whole episode is that it is practically and legally impossible to strike a deal with one of the countries of the European Union, rather than with the European Union as a whole.”

His remarks come days before European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker travels to Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has argued that the United States must “return to reason” and rescind its tariffs on steel and aluminum imports before European countries discuss overhauling aspects of global trade. His view contrasts with that of German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, who said Sunday that it remains “unchanged” that the United States should reverse the steps it has taken, while emphasizing “it’s important that we speak with one another.”

(SD-Agencies)