The EU threatened Thursday for taxes for 95 billion euros in American imports, including cars and airplanes, in case they are not negotiations to end the customs duties of Donald Trump on European products.
The European Executive announced that it has launched “a public consultation” in a long list of products manufactured in the United States, which would potentially be affected by the duties of European customs.
This list also includes electrical equipment, batteries, appliances, as well as agricultural products (fruits, vegetables) or agrophies such as spirits, including wines and bourbon. These imports “could be subject to retaliation measures” if the United States maintains surcharges aimed at EU exports at the end of negotiations in progress.
Equipment, batteries, agricultural products …
At the same time, Brussels will take the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the commercial measures of which he is the victim of the United States.
The European Commission has announced that “soon” would submit a request for consultations with the international organization based in Geneva, the first stage of a dispute settlement procedure, in relation to American surcharge. The EU executive denounces “a shameless violation of the WTO rules” and intends to “reaffirm the importance of respecting international rules.”
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, however, said she remained “completely compromised” in the search for negotiated solutions with Washington.
“We believe it is possible to conclude good agreements for the benefit of consumers and companies on both sides of the Atlantic. At the same time, we continue to prepare for all eventualities,” he said in a press release.
Show muscles
In recent months, the European Union has been attacked three times for customs duties in the administration of the United States: 25% in steel and aluminum, announced in mid -March, 25% in cars, then 20% in all other European products in April.
This last surcharge was suspended until July to try to find a negotiated result in the commercial dispute. But the customs duties of 10% still apply to most goods exported to the United States for twenty -seven years.
In mid -March, the European Union has chosen to show the muscles replicating in steel and aluminum measures. Then he announced customs tariffs of up to 25% in a first list of US imports for 26 billion euros. They are attacked in this first list of emblematic brands such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles, agricultural foods such as soybeans, but also appliances such as refrigerators or grass cutters.
But the EU’s response has not yet entered into force, unlike Donald Trump’s first measures. The European surcharge remains suspended from current negotiations, scheduled until July, will only apply to the failure of discussions.
Source: BFM TV
