EU weighs heavy tariffs on €95bn (£80,5bn) worth of US imports
The European Commission has initiated consultations on a list of goods valued at approximately €95 (£80,5) billion imported from the USA. In the absence of an agreement with Washington, these goods will be subjected to retaliatory tariffs by the EU. The list includes aircraft, cars, machinery, whisky, fish, and nuts.
The new list does not include goods on which the European Union announced tariffs in April, which were then suspended following the 90-day postponement of mutual tariffs declared by US President Donald Trump.
EU retaliatory tariffs. The list is available
The European Commission has proposed an additional measure to impose tariffs on goods exported from the EU to the United States. The tariffs would apply to steel and chemicals sold to the USA, valued at around €4.4 (£3.7) billion.
Consultations regarding the new list will last until 10th June. Some goods may be removed from the list after consultations. "We invite Boeing to participate in them," an anonymous EU official told journalists.
According to him, the tariffs on the aerospace industry, as per the EC's proposal, could include imports valued at about €10.5 (£8.9) billion, with the point of reference being import values in 2024. The value of goods from the automotive sector is expected to be over €12 (£10.2) billion.
Conversely, retaliatory tariffs on the agricultural sector will cover imports valued at approximately €6.5 (£5.5) billion, of which €1.3 (£1.1) billion is attributable to American alcohols, such as whisky and wines. The EC also suggested tariffs on fish valued at around €500 (£424) million. Following consultations, the EC will develop a final list of proposed goods to be tariffed. However, for these tariffs to take effect, they will require the approval of EU member states.
