The European Union and Romania must deal with the situation created by the introduction of the new tariffs by the USA calmly, we need to discuss and negotiate, believes the president of the UDMR (Democratic Union of Hungarians of Romania), Kelemen Hunor.

Asked on Europa FM radio station how should Romania manage from a political and diplomatic point of view 'this trade war that Donald Trump has triggered,' the UDMR leader indicated that the situation must first and foremost be dealt with calmly.

'First of all, calm, if one can remain calm in such a situation, but without hysteria in any case. And Europe too. We should wait a bit, we should discuss, we should negotiate, because any harsh reaction by imposing additional customs duties against the United States will worsen the situation, it will not solve it. The European Union was supposed to discuss with Trump's team after the elections, until January 20, much longer, but they did not believe that what Trump said in the campaign, he will actually do after the elections. (...) And Trump is doing exactly what he said. They do have their reasons for talking about customs duties, at least from their point of view and if we look at the trade deficit, but things should not be done like this and not this fast against the European Union and against all partners, because this will first of all impact America,' explained Kelemen Hunor.

According to him, 'the last time there were such customs duties, such a trade war, in the 1930s, the recession immediately came, the great recession, after which things became complicated in Europe and not only, but also in Asia.'

'I think we should wait, not react, but prepare a package for our industry. And, first of all, we should see exactly how are we impacted? In the steel area, as much as we have, because we also have a problem there, plus we are dependent on Germany, on the German and French automotive industries, and we need to see what we produce for their cars, which at this moment, of course, will have problems. And for us, the question is how we will preserve jobs. That is why it is very important what will happen on May 4 and May 18, because the new president must radically change the approach to foreign policy. The economy, trade and commercial relations and attracting investors must be at the centre of foreign policy,' emphasised the UDMR leader.

He criticized in this context the fact that former president Klaus Iohannis never included businessmen, ministers, in his delegations, 'except as decor.'

'Romania's interest is to have trade relations and trade partners in all areas, including America, with which we are not very, very closely linked in terms of trade. On the one hand. On the other hand, of course, being from the European Union, we must move with the European Union where it benefits us. Plus, without the United States, the eastern flank cannot be secured, if we move further in the area of geopolitical security and that is why I believe that bilateral relations, our partnership must continue to be speculated and strengthened. As Poland does, as the Baltic countries do,' the UDMR leader said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Catalina Matei, EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)