The EU’s 27 member states are expected to approve a big list of US products that will face tariffs from next week in response to President Trump’s initial 25% import tax on European steel and aluminium last month.
The European tariffs will be imposed in three stages.
From next Tuesday, 15 April, the plan is to slap 25% tariffs on an initial list which is likely to include motorbikes, luxury boats and orange juice. American bourbon, wine and dairy were on the original EU list but have been dropped after lobbying from Europe’s wine industry.
The initial measures were due to kick in on 1 April but were held back to give talks a chance. EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen’s pitch for a zero-tariffs deal was rejected out of hand by Trump.
A second stage will kick in from mid-May, which is expected to feature textiles, leather goods, eggs, dental floss and poultry.
Then from 1 December counter-tariffs will be slapped on soybeans and almonds. Soybeans are used in animal feed and make up the biggest value for US exports to Europe.
A swathe of new 20% US tariffs has kicked in today on EU imports – and today’s list being voted on in Brussels doesn’t deal with those. The European Commission is busy preparing further counter-measures which could come out next week.
