According to EU diplomats, negotiations are close to finalization and may lead to a contract similar to the one that the USA has concluded with Japan-providing for 15 % duties on goods from the EU. However, the final decision in this matter is to belong to President Donald Trump.
Reuters said that the talks also include the detailed range of possible tariffs – they can include, among others The automotive and pharmaceutical sector, although certain categories, such as the air industry, wood, some drugs and agricultural products, can be excluded from new duties. On the other hand, the United States does not show readiness to reduce the currently binding, as much as 50 % tariffs per steel.
The first package of EU retaliation duties-prepared as a reaction to the earlier, 25 % Trump's duties on steel and aluminum-assumes covering American products worth EUR 21 billion. The list includes Agricultural products, including poultry, fruit, nuts and soy, as well as motorcycles and yachts.
- Such are to be the US duties to the European Union. Unofficial information
Brussels is waiting, but it is preparing
Although the United States did not withdraw from the controversial tariffs – and even in June they increased – the European Union abstained with the answer to “give negotiations a chance.” They concerned the so -called mutual duties at the level of 20 %, which President Trump announced in April, then temporarily suspended. Currently, the base rate of 10 percent is required.
The situation was exacerbated at the beginning of July, when Donald Trump published on the Truth Social List addressed to Ursula von der Leyen. In the letter he announced that from August 1, “mutual duties” would increase to 30 percent, while warning that if the EU responds with rhetors, tariffs may “be even more increased”.
In response to these threats, Brussels developed a second package of retaliation, this time worth EUR 72 billion. This package includes the key to the American economy – and the political facilities of Trump – industries such as: alcohol (beer, wine, strong drinks), tobacco, steel, aluminum, cars and aircraft. Clinics are to be a reaction to both the announced increases in “mutual duties” and to existing tariffs for cars (25 percent) and extended duties to steel and aluminum (50 percent).
- XI Jinping appeals to the EU. “No barriers, no insulation”
The EU is considering additional funds – also outside the duties
Among the possible defense measures, the EU also considers the use of a non -tariff protection mechanism, which is an instrument for counteracting economic coercion (ACI). This tool allows you to limit access to the European Public Procurement Market for companies from countries using the EU economic pressure.
ACI was demanded by French President Emmanuel Macron, calling for a faster reaction of the community. However, the chairwoman of the EC Ursula von der Leyen approached this with reserve. As she noted, this instrument was created for “extraordinary situations” and “we are not yet at this stage.”
ACI can be used not only for goods, but also to services – including digital and financial – where, unlike goods exchange, the United States has a surplus relative to the EU.
