The European Union announced it will start imposing duties from July on a list of U.S. products in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to slap tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Europe.
The College of Commissioners endorsed today the decision to impose additional duties on the full list of US products notified to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), as part of the EU’s response to the US tariffs on steel and aluminium products.
Following today’s decision to apply additional duties to selected imports from the United States, the Commission expects to conclude the relevant procedure in coordination with Member States.
“The new duties start applying in July. It is a measured and proportionate response to the unilateral and illegal decision taken by the United States,”European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic told reporters.
Sefcovic said that formalities in finalising the list should be completed this month. The EU says it will introduce “rebalancing” tariffs on about 2.8 billion euros worth of U.S. steel, agricultural and other products, including bourbon, peanut butter, cranberries and orange juice.
The EU — the world’s biggest trading bloc — has also taken its case to the World Trade Organisation. If the WTO rules in its favour, or after three years if the case is still going on, the EU plans to impose further tariffs of 3.6 billion euros on U.S. products. “The EU’s reaction is fully in line with international trade law.
We regret that the United States left us with no other option than to safeguard EU interests,” Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said in a statement.
