UK, France and Germany say they planned to trigger the deal’s dispute mechanism for months, despite Trump crowing about their ‘appeasement’
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Picture: AFP/ ATTA KENARE
Britain, France and Germany triggered the accord’s dispute mechanism this week. London said it is now time for a “Trump deal” to replace it, while Paris said broad talks are needed. Two European diplomats confirmed that Washington has threatened tariffs but said leaders of the three European states had decided to trigger the mechanism before that. Another diplomat said a suggestion that the Europeans were acting in response to Trump’s threat risked “discrediting the Europeans, but then Trump doesn’t really care about that”.
France’s foreign ministry spokesperson did not comment on reports of US threats, but noted that the Europeans had been threatening to trigger the dispute procedure for months. She said the European countries had made clear they do not want to leave the accord, but to find a way to resolve differences under it, and that Washington understands that position.
The Europeans have long opposed Trump’s decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal. The dispute mechanism begins a diplomatic process that can end with UN sanctions on Iran “snapping back” into place, although the Europeans say that is not their aim.
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