Lex Delles: "The trade war is a trap in which everyone will lose"

Lex Delles, Luxembourg's Minister of Economy and President of the Democratic Party of Luxembourg, sharply criticised the Donald Trump administration's customs policy in an interview with Le Quotidien. Despite the unexpected 90-day freeze on new duties, Delles called the developments a "no-win situation," pointing to the global rise in inflation and the growing nervousness of markets.

Of particular concern are Luxembourg exporters of steel and auto components, especially those supplying the US or co-operating with US companies. He said that an oversupply of products from Asia could overwhelm Europe and we need to be prepared for that.

Delles believes that the EU should respond with a unified strategy, but without escalation. "If Luxembourg negotiated with the US alone - no one would hear us," he emphasises. Trump, he says, seeks to divide the EU in order to weaken it as an economic player. That is why Delles calls European unity the most powerful response.

The minister recognised that the US remains the main supplier of liquefied natural gas to the EU. However, he warned: Trump's demands to increase imports of American energy resources create a new form of dependence. According to Delles, Europe's energy transformation is not possible "overnight", but the vector of movement is clear - the rejection of fossil fuels.

Domestic political front: disputes with trade unions

Domestically, Delles has come under a barrage of criticism over his proposal to extend shop opening hours. Unions have accused him of a lack of dialogue and pressure on labour rights. The minister recognised the tensions but insisted that a social compromise was needed. He emphasised that the reforms to opening hours were already foreseen in the coalition agreement with the Christian Social People's Party (CSV).

Meanwhile, the head of the CSV parliamentary faction, Marc Spautz, has publicly questioned the legitimacy and form of these reforms. Delles responded by pointing out that the agreed goals of the coalition must not be undermined, especially when it comes to modernising labour law.

Political Future: Farewell to the Party

On 27 April, Lex Delles will leave the post of chairman of the Democratic Party. Explaining the decision, he cited his heavy workload in government and his desire not to hand over the party in the pre-election period, as was his case. He expressed his full support for the candidacy of Carole Hartmann, the current general secretary of the party: "She knows what she is fighting for and will give herself wholeheartedly to this cause".