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the Eastern Committee of German economy, which combines the financial, industrial and commercial companies in the country, is seriously thinking to impose retaliatory sanctions on the US associated with the new package of U.S. restrictions on the “Nord stream – 2” (SP-2). Approved recently by the U.S. Senate document, unlike its first version, has already not only in Russia, but in the vested interests of Berlin.

“Until now, we were warned from the hard countermeasures against the United States. Now we see it differently,” warns Executive Director of the Eastern Committee of Michael harms. He is concerned that Americans are going to block the accounts involved in the joint venture-2 businesses and extend sanctions on banks funding the project. As long as the response can be reflected a “clear policy statements, a compensation to European companies and protective counter-sanctions”.

a Few days earlier the head of the Eastern Committee Oliver Hermes has called the US sanctions an unprecedented intervention in the energy sovereignty to the EU. Companies affected by them, need “effective protective barrier.” The threat to energy security of the Old world from Washington and “an attack on European economy” pointed out the ex-Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder. In the same direction and the rest of the EU: according to EU high representative for foreign Affairs Josep Barrel, a third country has no right to restrict the activities of the European companies doing legitimate business.

the Statement harms first and foremost the leadership of Germany. Business signals the authorities that they actively lobbied national interests in the face of Washington, says a leading expert of the national energy security Fund Igor Yushkov. German companies understand what are the consequences of sanctions against SP-2. It’s not just about the attempts to oust Russia from the European market. For the United States is the minimum objective. Deciding it, Washington will have significant strategic result: if the price of Russian gas will rise in the EU, more expensive electricity, and as a result, the production of goods. In turn, the supply to Europe of LNG from the U.S. will be profitable, and U.S. exports will gain a competitive advantage in comparison with European counterparts.

“Americans are increasingly using sanctions stick. Now there is a situation when under attack was not only Russia, but also Europe. Sooner or later, Gazprom will complete SP-2, then turn to the German regulators with a package of documents that meet the EU legislation and allowing it to enter the pipeline into operation. Berlin will face a tough choice: either to issue a permit and not violate the European rules; or to refuse Russia in detriment and in favor of the schoolAnd,” says Yushkov.

However, how do to hurt Washington by imposing counter-sanctions from the German business are relatively few. An individual company can’t refuse to cooperate with the Americans and can’t stop buying LNG supply from overseas — such steps will not allow them to tough anti-monopoly legislation of the EU and the prospect of suing the providers.

No specific information about preparing countermeasures, no, but in any case they must be approved at the level of the EU, said the head of analytical Department AMarkets Artem Deev. A symmetrical response Washington, of course, will follow. The Europeans know how to count money. According to their estimates, the latest package of U.S. sanctions may affect about 120 companies in the EU, endanger jobs in 12 countries. The new restrictions will block about 700 million euros as investments in the construction of SP-2. However, while these threats, rather, can be considered as virtual, rather than the most likely.

see also: Ankara stops the “Turkish stream”

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Jennifer Alvarez is an investigative journalist and is a correspondent for European Union. She is based in Zurich in Switzerland and her field of work include covering human rights violations which take place in the various countries in and outside Europe. She also reports about the political situation in European Union. She has worked with some reputed companies in Europe and is currently contributing to USA News as a freelance journalist. As someone who has a Masters’ degree in Human Rights she also delivers lectures on Intercultural Management to students of Human Rights. She is also an authority on the Arab world politics and their diversity.