until the u.s. is announcing they will not put an end to the exemptions which have been offered to europe and others. union cannot react to that without any kind of reaction. a we immediately introduced , announcinghe wto counterbalancing measures. it is totally unacceptable that a country is imposing unilateral measures when it comes to world trade. >> next, a conversation with david all sold in -- david o'sullivan. respect him about u.s.

transatlantic relations. this is 30 minutes. welcome davidto o'sullivan. o'sullivan, the european ambassador to the show. how would you characterize the relationship the united states has with members of the european union? guest: i think the relationship between the european union and the united states is very deep and very strong. we have deep connections, economical, the most important trading partners, and we share the same values as in democracy so, this is really the three pillars of our relationship, which i think are very solid. pedro: would you say there are of contention between the countries of the eu and the

united states? ambassador o'sullivan: there are one or two issues between us these days. the decision of the administration to withdraw from the paris climate deal, the decision on iran, and issues over trade, sell yes, there are divergences between us, but you have to set this always in the context of the depth, breadth, and strength of the relationship. tariffs. can you explain what might happen? guest: distant ministration has --eatened to impose tariffs this administration has threatened to impose tariffs on steele and aluminum. we share concerns. we think china in particular has been responsible for over-investment and flooding the international market. our workers have been victims of that in europe, as has been

to impose tariffs on european exports. host: why does this rise to the national security level? guest: you can ask that question -- you would have to ask the american authorities. .e do not believe it is we believe it is a safeguard measure and we think in the case of european exports experts are -- exports are high-value, niche products that are inputs to the american processor would be to make in the economy -- the american economy stronger. host: you do not know why this is a security issue? guest: the documents we have seen make the case that heal and

aluminum are important to nationals -- steal and aluminum are important to national security. are inf the tariffs place, what is the response from the eu? guest: we have said clearly we would preserve our right to impose rebalancing terrorists on an equivalent amount of american exports. of course we wait to see what the final position is, but our position has been if tariffs are imposed we would impose rebalancing tariffs on american exports. host: on what type of product? guest: it is a long list of products, stretching from agricultural products to whiskey, bourbon, motorcycles, clothing -- a long list of products, but the idea is to put rebalancing caps on an equivalent -- tariffs on an equivalent amount of trade. i want to emphasize this is not really want to be. we have said to the united states instead of doing this we

could have a positive agenda on how to cooperate on trade, extending -- expanding trade between us, and we would have that conversation rather than about steel tariffs. we believe if we want to have a positive agenda it is not a good way to start by imposing what we consider unjustified tariffs on steel and aluminum exports. if they are placed, this will make the idea of launching a constructive agenda much more difficult. host: our guest is with us until 8:30 a.m. if you want to ask questions on these issues and others about the european union, it is

host: as this administration deals with north korea and particularly whether the negotiation will take place between the two countries, where does the eu stand on the potential it talks taking place in what role does the eu have if any? ofst: we are supportive efforts to support the denuclearization of the korean peninsula. we said fully with the administration's decision to engage with north korea and find a solution that leads to the end of the nuclear armaments program. we are supportive of the efforts of this administration and the entire in international community. the nuclear'ss age and look like, not only for north korea, but does that mean they noticed a test to take steps on its own? guest:

the focus of the talks. of course one could look at other confidence-building measures around that in the way one often does a nonproliferation issues, but getting rid of north korea's nuclear capabilities is a top priority for all of us. host: many mention china has a role in this. russia as well. is there an eu country that stands out as an influencer on this topic? guest: the eu has been fully supportive of this and we are engaged with the chinese, the russians, the rest of the international community in supporting these efforts to take forward the need to ensure that north korea fully dismantles its armaments program and capabilities. host: our first call comes from angie in washington, here in the district. democrats line. angie, you are on with the ambassador david o'sullivan. caller: good morning. i had a question about what the eu has been doing for women's rights.

i have seen a lot on the news and a lot that is not made the news regarding violence against women in sweden and germany. can you elaborate at all? i will take my question off the air. guest: women's rights are, of course, a fundamental principle of the european union and there is european legislation that guarantees equality of treatment in the area of work, and some of these measures are domestic violence as such an issue addressed by national authority of the national level, but the european union stands fully for fully equal treatment you know spears of life, and it is -- spheres of life and it is opposed to any abuse of women. ,(202) 628-0205

democrats. understandortant to with this nuclear deal? guest: clinical do with the ram is a vital part of national security. acquire iran could nuclear weapons would trigger a proliferation race, destabilize the middle east and have consequences for digitally for europe because it is our neighborhood. that is why we are supportive of this deal because we feel it is indispensable to prevent iran from acquiring or developing nuclear weapons. it does not solve all the problems with iran and we share concerns with other iranian activities, so we deeply regret the administration's decision to

withdraw. we are committed to keeping the deal alive and making sure iran lives up to commitments, which makes sure it cannot acquire or develop nuclear weapons. host: of those activities by iran, what is top on the list that concerns you most? guest: we're very concerned about iran's behavior in the region, particularly in yemen and syria, concern about iran's ballistic missile program, and concerned about the human rights situation in the country itself. with are issues we share the countries, but we think they are best addressed by keeping intact the nuclear deal and we think withdrawing admitted more complicated. host: so, should the deal stand as it is or should the recast in some way that should it be recast in some way? -- should it be recast in some way? years, and it 12 does what it can to prevent iran forever acquiring or developing

nuclear weapons. that should -- our view is that should be kept intact will. -- intact. unfortunately, a lot of energy is going into trying to make sure the nuclear deal continues an host: 1 -- continues. . host: one of the conference was -- thatection process they were not widespread enough. do you share those concerns and can they be improved? guest: we do not believe there are immediate problems. it has been confirmed 10 times they have1 been given full access and found no problems. of course we need to be vigilant . if there are issues of sites or places that need to be invested -- investigated, the deal sees that additional inspections could take place. this is one of the most intrusive regimes of any nonproliferation treaty, and we

think it is vital to keep that impact. it is through that -- intact. the -- a firm finger on on iran on the ability to deviate from the deal. guest: you are on with the ambassador. -- host: marianne, you are on with the ambassador. caller: yes, i would like to ask -- if the eu will continue to impose sanctions. of tearingn favor up. guest: we are fully committed to this deal and as long as iran keeps it set of the bargain, to do nothing to develop or acquire nuclear weapons and to allow us to check and verify that commitment, we will maintain our side of the bargain, which was to lift sanctions link to the

nuclear issue and give iran the benefit of improved economic and commercial activity, which is why i think they came to the table in the first place and we were able to conclude this landmark deal. host: alabama is next. roger on our independent line. yes.r: i was just curious since you -- two of thems were on shoes and motorcycles. , from china, and our motorcycles are japanese-based, so how bad of a tariff do you think that would be? thank you. guest: any tariffs we place our products exported from the united states. the list that i gave in a

summary fashion, which is quite detailed and goes into specific tariff codes, and these are products exported from the united states. host: one of the highlights of the potential new tariffs reported in "washington post" saying the $150 billion trade deficit the united states has with the eu was a concern and the president himself calling it unacceptable. guest: that is the deficit in good straight. services, that deficit comes down by 50 billion. they are i don't think the result of unfair trading practices in europe. they are part of the macro economic and united states. you are a country that saves very little, consumes a lot, and trade deficit. i think you have to be able to distinguish the causes of a trade deficit, and in the cases of europe, we are one of the

most open, low-tariff rules of law-based economies -- very open trading. there are few restrictions on american trade with europe, as there are few restrictions on european trade with the u.s.. i think the deficit needs to be looked at through its real causes. that is not a european export. one of the strategies that might happen as a result of all of this might be coming on luxury german cars -- a total ban on those. what is the impact should that take place? guest: the administration has launched another national security investigation into whether imports of autos and auto parts might be a threat to international security. we think it will be a hard case to prove. i think it will be a lively domestic discussion in the united states. many consumers, even the u.s. auto industry, will have strong views on this.

the announcement of the investigation is only the beginning of a process. i will be tested to see how that debate plays out in the notices because i think many people would feel imposing tariffs on autos would be totally counterproductive, and never forget that many european producers have substantial factories and outputs here. bmw is the largest exporter of cars in the united states, and indeed exports cars back to europe manufactured here in south carolina. host: have you had a chance to talk to the commerce secretary directly about these issues? guest: i have been present in meetings with him and his interlocutor. we have made these points. i don't think he has been totally convinced, as you know, but we'll continue to make these points because we believe the facts are on our side on this issue. host: why you think he is not convinced? guest: i think he has strong views, as those the president, about the deficit, about differential tariffs on autos.

, we have a 10%. comparing one tariff with another does not get us very far. we would be more than willing to sit down and talk about trade negotiations which would aim to eliminate much of those tariffs on trade and industrial products, and that is the agenda we would really like to be pursuing and not having this argument about specific sectors which we think doesn't really address the wider issue. host: let's hear from james in richmond, virginia. democrats line. yes, sir, i would like to know where you stand on the dispute with china and the u.s. because i recently heard that thea might be asking like eu to sign on the trade dispute. guest: china is an important trading partner for both the eu

and the u.s., even if we are each other's most important trading partner. than chinaimportant for the u.s., and the u.s. is more important than china for us, but we share many concerns, as this administration has, about the way china conducts its business, about the theft of international property, -- intellectual property, the ability to purchase and invest chinese copies while they are free to purchase and invest in our companies. we have serious concerns and we are not shy about addressing those issues with china. there will be occasions when we may have a similar view in the wto on whether wto rules are being respected by the united states or other parties, but cooperating on some areas where we think the wto rules need to be defended does not mean we don't share the very real concerns of this administration about the way china conducts its trade and administration policy.

edna. caller: yes, number one i wish to apologize to the ambassador for the stupidity of some of the comments of my fellow citizens. attendant,ed flight and at one time i used to fly both your and asia -- europe and asia. number one, flying to china, i would take planeloads of american businessman -- knows to the tail of businesses taking our business to china to give it to the chinese. it was a systematic discussion -- destruction of american industry, a systematic destruction of american unions, is at some point folks thought unions were not to be kept in

this country. and then i would also fly europe, where i would see buying --s of chinese takeg huge suitcases to goods back home. i find our attitudes towards trade to be reprehensible. i find european goods to be wonderful, and if we impose the tariffs i am sorry about the effects. thank you. guest: thank you for your comments about the quality of european goods. i fully share that. i think we all benefit from trade. we all get excellent products from the united states and value that. with regard to china, i think we have both profited from good trade with china, but i think it is very clear that china is not opening up its market or giving

us the level playing field that both the united states and the eu would wish for and that is something where we could make some common cause. host: orlando, florida. independent line. jean. caller: good morning. my comment for mr. o'sullivan is he made the remark that we use more goods. yes, we do, but the reason we he, iporting more, which guess, is not totally knowledgeable to the situation, is that all of our manufacturers are overseas. that is why we are having to now by more from overseas. that is why our present president is trying to get business to come back here through the incentives he is offering. it is really ingenuous it is because we use more when all of our businesses have gone away. thank you. guest: my point is i think there

is nothing wrong with the administration wanting to encourage more american investment or encouraging american companies to bring production facilities back to the united states. i am merely making the observation that the existence of a surplus or a deficit with a trading partner is not necessarily an indication of an unlevel playing field or unfair trading practices. it may be. i think in the case of china, the deficit is in part due to the unfair trading practices we have with china. in the case of the european union, that case is not made kid we are an open and fair trading partner, as is the united states. if there is a deficit between us it is for other reasons, namely linked to macroeconomic problems or the services they buy. host: it was george cerro saying the eu has an extension crisis. he says everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.

figure ofonger a speech that europe is an existential danger. host: would you agree with those? guest: no, i would not. i have a lot of respect for mr. soros, a clever man who makes insightful observations, but the european union is a solid institution and we have survived many crisis. we have 28 member states, 20 national democracies that go through their own cycles at we face challenges, but if you look at the way we have come through the financial crisis, the euro crisis, the migration crisis, the refugee crisis, i think the european union is a more solid and resistant institution that people give it credit for and rumors of its demise are greatly exaggerated, as mark twain might have said. host: how much of that is can she be by the u.k.'s decision on brexit?

guest: we regret deeply the u.k. decision. it is their democratic right. abilityity foresees the for a country to leave, unlike yours that does not allow a state to secede. the rest of us will move on. we have our own agenda. we will try to have the best good friendship and working relationship with the u.k. out 27the eu, but they -- the eu will continue on with the integration process. support has never been higher across our member states than the last year or so. host: one of the things that might alleviate this is a clause in the eu constitution that requires a single currency. you think there is a value in separating the eu from that? guest: this single currency has been a huge success for most countries, and if you look at popular opinion you will see huge support for the euro. did in a europe

of separate currencies, it was not a advantage. there was no gain for anyone. we trade so much between ourselves -- having a stable, single currency across 19 countries is a huge benefit, and i don't think people are going to give that up. of course, the treaties require that new members join the single currency, but only when they are ready, and only when they have met the criteria of economic convergence. this is not a mechanical exercise that happens automatically. there is wide discretion. the u.k. had an opt out on the single currency. other countries, sweden, denmark, have chosen not to put -- chosen not to join. i think we have a huge amount of flexibility in our system. the success and the value of a single currency for the european union is undisputedly in my view. guest: in terms of economics,

there is reporting in the papers on what is going on in italy with its economic situation. can you describe what is going on and how that might affect the eu as a whole? guest: we had a general election in italy that has delivered a defeat, if you like, for the established parties and two more new,al, new parties -- not parties that have not come to such prominence before, the five-star movement and the northern league, they are trying to see if they can form a government. there are elements in both of those parties that have been the euro,f europe and but they were not elected on a platform of leaving the euro or leaving the eu, so i hope they are able to form a government soon so italy can go forward in the way that we would wish. that will certainly -- there will certainly be some nuances in the approach of italy to european affairs, but i remain convinced that italy's continued presence in the euro currency and the european union is

absolutely not in doubt. and no concerns about sending larger shockwaves over the whole of the eu and the market staying together? host: i don't thinks -- guest: i don't think so. we are seeing some reactions in the market, and that is always a cause for concern, but the sooner a government is put in place and you see the policies they are advocating, many of these concerns will dissipate. eu country has an economic concern, do other eu countries to be to the cause to stabilize it? that: yes, we are based on and we are based on having stable economies. that is why we are geared to help with that. we had the bailout programs for ireland, portugal, the spanish banks, and greece, and we have come through what was a very difficult financial crisis. we now see positive growth

across all that you. unemployment is back down --across all of the eu. unemployment is back down to single digits. host: as far as the future, kind that where we started with a relationship with our country -- what you see the brightpoint? huge: i think we have a amount of economic and commercial operation. we have 80% of foreign direct investment in united states coming from europe. europe is the single most important destination for export destination for 44 of your 50 states. aboute similar concerns security and foreign-policy issues, whether that is in the middle east, russia, where we quite right on counterterrorism, cybercrime. the list of areas where we cooperate and have shared views and values as far longer than the list of things that sometimes divides us. host: let's hear from dennis in virginia. republican line.

good morning, everybody. i have a few comments. first, i want to say to your guest, variety is the spice of life, not convenience. i heard you mention the euro taking over the european union. you know, we are losing our cultures and ethnicities and all the varieties that make life much better with all this monolithic, uniform nonsense that the countries in the european union are trying to go to. i think there is a bigger picture there which i won't talk about here, but it is unfortunate. separate art of, little bit, into our own unique culture so that it makes life more interesting as opposed to this android, sort of, circumstance and accepted system we are creating. there is that. with regards to the european union, a little variety.

guest: i could not disagree with you more, respectfully. your opinion is precisely a model of adversity. denmark, youin know you are in denmark. you don't think you are in latvia. when you are in italy, you do not think you are island. our language, our cuisine, our way of life -- we believe we can reconcile that with cooperation together, having meetings in conference rooms rather than clashes on the battlefield, and in the case of a single currency it makes more economic sense. respectfully, you could have 50at diversity here and have different currencies in the united states, but it would not make sense. having a dog is not undermine the diversity -- having a dollar does not undermine the diversity of this great country. there is no risk of homogenizing the european people, our histories, cultures, languages are far too rooted in many years

of history for that to ever happen and nobody is trying to do that. host: berkeley, california. independent line. david. i had two questions. i understood the ambassador to say the iran deal goes on forever, and that we could inspect anywhere that we want. i have read and heard that the deal expires in about 10, 12 years, and that we can not inspect military sites and perhaps other sites, too. could you cannot find that? guest: on both issues you are not fully correctly informed. the deal last forever. it is in perpetuity. the opening paragraphs of the deal say very clearly that iran definitively and in perpetuity gives up any aspiration to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. it is true there are certain provisions of the deal,

particularly related to enrichment of uranium that expire at different times, some after 15, some after 25 years, but the deal as such and commitment of iran never to acquire and develop nuclear weapons is forever, as long as they abide by the deal. on the issue of access, i repeat what i said before -- the international energy agency says they have full access to all sites they need to visit. there are certain special arrangements if there is a need to >> for what i said before. the international energy agency says they have full accuracy. if there's a need to visit the military sites. the continued willingness of the iranians to submit for all investigations and inspections is for us a very determiningrt for if iran is compliant with the deal. sullivan is the

ambassador to the united states. >> thank you. listeners.ou to the up, ryan clancy, and emily atkin discussed hurricane preparedness. state of mlook at

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sented this, but he was a good boy and put up with it. whether you read mention of his he neverf his father, .ad an unkind word presbyterian minister. secretary of state, mike talked to reporters after the meeting after the relations in new york. announced north korean official, kim jong-un, would travel to deliver a letter by jong-un. afternoon, e