EU says retaliatory trade tariffs against US ready in July

June 06, 2018 | 21:53

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BRUSSELS: The EU on Wednesday (Jun 6) said a raft of retaliatory tariffs, including on whiskey and motorcycles, in response to painful metals duties imposed by the United States would be ready as early as July.

eu says retaliatory trade tariffs against us ready in july

Employee motorcycles are parked outside of the headquarters of iconic American motorcycle builder Harley-Davidson on Jun 1, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP)

EU members have given broad support to a European Commission plan to set duties on €2.8 billion (US$3.3 billion) of US exports in response to what is sees as illegal action by Washington.

The European Commission, which handles trade matters for the 28-country bloc, "expects to conclude the relevant procedure in coordination with member states before the end of June," said European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic at a news briefing.

This would allow "that the new duties start applying in July," he added.

"It is a measured and proportionate response to the unilateral and illegal decision taken by the US to impose tariffs on the European steel and aluminium exports which we regret," said the former Slovak prime minister.

From blue jeans to motorbikes and whiskey, the EU's hit-list of products targeted for tariffs with the US reads like a catalogue of emblematic American exports.

The European Union originally drew up the list in March but pledged not activate it unless US President Donald Trump followed through on his threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on steel imports and 10 per cent on aluminium.

The Trump tariffs came into effect on Jun 1 and the EU now joins Mexico and Canada and other close allies that have announced their own wave of counter-duties against Washington.

The EU commission must now take their proposal to be signed off by the bloc's member states amid divisions over what path to take against Trump's unpredictable policies.

France and the Netherlands back a tough line against the US, while export powerhouse Germany has urged caution towards Trump's "America First" policies.

Agencies/ AFP

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