The European Union (EU) will suspect its two countermeasures against US customs duties for six months, a commission spokesman said on Monday, after an agreement with the president of the United States, Donald Trump.
“The EU continues to work with the United States to finish a joint statement, as agreed on July 27,” said the spokesman in a statement on Monday.
The agreement concluded between the EU and the United States on July 27, establishing customs duties of 15% in most European products leave many unanswered questions, in particular with respect to the rate that will be applied to spirits and the absence of exclusions such as cars and remedy parts for cars.
Two separate packages
The EU representatives said they expected other decrees soon.
Customs retaliation tasks are divided into two parts: one in response to American surcharges on steel and aluminum, and the other to customs tasks in the car and the initial position of Donald Trump.
A first package, compared to 21 billion euros in American goods imported to Europe (soybeans, jeans, motorcycles …) had been prepared and approved by the Member States in April. But its entry into force was suspended until the end of discussions with the United States.
To complete it, a second package of countermeasures of up to 72 billion euros was decided. Boeing airplanes and cars are added, which raises the total to 93 billion euros. The EU decided on Thursday to merge these two lists, which include a lot of goods.
Source: BFM TV
