Trade tensions intensify between EU and US amid Russia sanctions

Jerome Hughes
Press TV, Brussels

Importing Liquified Natural Gas from the US is costing the EU a fortune and leaders across the 27-nation bloc are looking for a better deal.

EU trade ministers met on Monday. They are not happy with Joe Biden's 'Inflation Reduction Act'. It includes state aid for American manufacturers that will put EU car builders at a disadvantage.

This is all happening due to Western sanctions against Russia. Inflation is out of control. We've asked the European Commission why it's not trying to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.

EU trade ministers accuse Russia of using food as a weapon after Moscow left a UN-negotiated deal to facilitate grain shipments from Ukraine. It follows drone attacks on Russia's Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol on Saturday. The Kremlin blames Kiev, helped by British experts.

Eurozone inflation has climbed to a new record high of 10.7%. EU leaders are being urged to tackle a growing social crisis in the bloc.

Many claim the West could have prevented the war in Ukraine by listening to Russia's security concerns surrounding the issue of NATO expansion. Massive public protests are forecast as wages in the EU fail to keep up with soaring inflation.

Already, here in Belgium, police have agreed to hold a one-day strike on November 9. The country's firefighters have announced they will do the same in December. A date for that has yet to be announced. It's set to be a winter of discontent for EU governments.

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