Romania’s interim president Ilie Bolojan stated on Tuesday during a press conference that the customs duties imposed by the U.S. administration will have negative effects on the European economy, including Romania’s, while the retaliatory measures the European Union is considering would only serve to increase the costs of escalation. “We will support the continuation of negotiations so that the two major markets find solutions for economic flows to continue”, the acting president said.
“An important topic is the tariffs imposed by the U.S. and their effects on the economy. We are facing difficult times and witnessing significant changes. The tariffs announced by the U.S. will have a negative impact on the European economy. We need to be honest and acknowledge these things. We must be transparent with our citizens and speak the truth,” Bolojan underlined.
- His statements on might happen in the coming period
Our companies that export products to the United States will become less competitive in those markets. However, the direct impact on the Romanian economy is relatively limited. The main sectors affected include aluminum, pharmaceuticals, and components made of steel and aluminum. - There will be a broader impact on the European economy, as the U.S. is the EU’s most important partner. Romanian companies that are part of European supply chains will be indirectly affected. We may see a slowdown in certain economic activities. There’s already an impact on the financial markets, and we’re likely to see a general hesitancy in investments. It’s very likely that foreign investments will slow down until things stabilize.
- We will support the continuation of negotiations so that the two major markets — the European Union and the United States — can find solutions that allow economic flows to continue. I believe that both at the European and national levels, we need to act toward building a more competitive economy.
- It’s hard to predict the consequences. Retaliatory measures taken by some countries will complicate matters further. We’re already seeing the impact on markets and stock exchanges. Against the backdrop of unpredictability, there will likely be a general reluctance toward investments. We may witness a slowdown in foreign investments until the situation stabilizes.
- The European Commission will define Europe’s response.
Our Minister of Economy and the Romanian ambassador in Brussels have participated in the discussions. The response will be phased — tomorrow, a first step will be taken involving tariffs on agricultural and food products. The initial response will be approved, but negotiations will continue. - There are no quick fixes in such situations. We will support ongoing negotiations so that both major markets can find solutions to maintain economic flows.
- We need to strengthen energy storage capacity, reduce bureaucracy to unleash economic potential, and not least, reform the state.
We can make statements and generate headlines, but we won’t reach real solutions overnight. We must do what needs to be done and believe in ourselves. We have to adapt to developments that are beyond our control.
Last month, before the US tariffs were announced, the European Central Bank forecast that the eurozone economy would grow by 0.9% this year and inflation by 2.3%. Meanwhile, Washington has imposed 25% tariffs on steel, aluminium and cars imported from Europe, as well as 20% tariffs on almost all other goods. US President Donald Trump has also imposed tariffs on dozens of countries around the world, triggering sharp stock market declines amid fears of inflation, weak demand and a possible global recession.
“We will inevitably be affected”
Asked how close we are to a recession, the interim head of state replied that “customs duties cannot do any good to the European economy”.
“If a negotiated solution is not reached, it will mean a slowdown in trade. Any kind of slowdown means an indirect slowdown in the European economy and we cannot avoid an effect on our country, even if we are not the main ones targeted by such a decline. Over 25% of what the Romanian economy produces that goes for export goes to the automotive sector and we will inevitably be affected. Through the negotiations we are carrying out these days, by integrating the state defense industry with the private one, we are trying to ensure that part of these funds, which are mandatory to be spent by our country to strengthen our defense and security, return to the Romanian economy as much as possible”, he explained.
Also questioned how much the Romanian Army’s equipment is affected in the context of American customs duties and whether it is possible to reorient ourselves towards European producers, Bolojan responded: “These contracts are not affected by tariffs, so the tariffs will not have an impact on the implementation of these contracts. Accessing European defense funds will make the acquisition mostly, in terms of weight, from EU countries, but it is not a prohibition on making acquisitions from the US. There are military components that cannot be purchased from the EU, only the US produces them, only they have these capabilities. It is normal for Europe to contribute more to its defense. All concluded contracts will be maintained.”
Comments on “emissary Sprinceana”
Asked to comment on the recent scandal prompted by the anti-EU, anti-Ukraine statements made by the so-called Marcel Ciolacu’s emissary to the US, Dragos Sprinceana, Bolojan said: “I would not like to comment on the comments of a Romanian citizen related to the perspective he has regarding one aspect or another. The policy of our country is made by the persons mandated in this regard, with official mandates or by vote of the Romanians, or by vote of the Parliament, or by government decisions. I think that only after these statements and after these mandates can we make comments related to one policy or another. I can give replies, but I do not think that it helps our country, I do not think that maybe a good intention, which went badly, is of the nature of making cascading statements. Because if today we are responsible people it means that we must take care of what we do for the interest of our country. It is a rather complicated period from the point of view of global security, of global trade.”
Asked if there was a discussion between the Presidency and the Government regarding the emissary sent to the US, and whether he considers it appropriate to appoint such emissaries, the acting president said: “ Throughout this period, I have tried to correlate our positions on issues in which our country should be represented in the long term and on issues related to the President and the Government, to have positions, for example, at the European Council that are supported by common agreement, to vote by common agreement tomorrow for what the European Commission proposes, so on all important issues for our country, I have sought to be aligned with the Government and, if parliamentary support is needed, including to conduct parliamentary consultation. On secondary issues, of course, I do not wish to comment.”
On elections, foreign interference: Hybrid attacks will continue. Let’s see candidates, not holograms
Asked if there is information about imminent interference by a foreign state in the upcoming elections, Bolojan said there is no information on an imminent interference, yet, he warned that similar hybrid attacks are expected amid upcoming presidential elections due in May.
“We do not have such information about an imminent issue, but being in Eastern Europe, being in the proximity of a war, what has happened in recent years, these hybrid wars, which mean cyber attacks on our IT infrastructure, communications, websites related to electoral display, voter turnout, as happened last time, hybrid attacks that try to divide the population, to sow even greater distrust in the authorities, to divide people, to demonize everything, these are issues that we will not escape even in this coming month.
Every institution must limit such hybrid attacks, legally eliminate illegal content, fake news, in such a way that Romanians form a perception of the vote and vote according to the way the candidates campaign, according to the statements they make, according to the way they interact with people, and not according to these hybrid attacks.
I am convinced that we are better prepared than in November regarding this. Asked about Russian propaganda on TikTok and other social networks: Every institution must do its duty, comply with legal provisions and it is necessary to intervene and where it is found that this content is of an illegal nature, which violates the legislation, it must be eliminated, but I understand that this is happening. There are decisions that have been publicly communicated on this topic”, he said.
Regarding elections, Ilie Bolojan invited presidential candidates to participate in “very fair and honest” debates organized right inside the Cotroceni Palace, “the workplace of the future president.”
“We are in this room. It is an offer that the Presidential Administration makes to those who are running. I don’t see why in this room, the workplace of the future president, in both the first and second rounds, very fair and honest debates cannot be organized”, the interim president argued.
“Let’s see candidates, not holograms”
He stressed that such an initiative could contribute to a more transparent and relevant electoral campaign for voters. “I think it would be a good formula that, apart from the holograms that we sometimes see online, we see candidates, we see debates, we see programs, we see ideas, and then Romanians get a correct picture and can really cast a vote as they see fit,” Bolojan concluded.