EU leaders seek to stand up to US and avoid trade war

By RAF CASERT
Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders have met to seek ways to stand up to the United States over its new green technologies plan that they say unfairly discriminates against European companies. The leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday discussed means to counter fears that the EU is a waning industrial power sticking to free and open trade ideals while others jump toward subsidies and protectionism to shield local industries during tough economic times. While the 27-nation EU argues the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act unfairly locks a longstanding friend out of the lucrative American market, it is considering a huge subsidy program of its own to boost climate-friendly initiatives.