Retaliatory tariffs against US exports will be launched by the European Union on June 22, according to the EU’s trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom. Blue jeans, motorbikes and bourbon whiskey, as well as cranberries, orange juice and peanut butter are among the goods that will be targeted.
The move comes after US President Donald Trump imposed steep duties on steel and aluminium earlier this month.
“The unilateral and unjustified decision of the US to impose steel and aluminium tariffs on the EU means that we are left with no other choice,” she said.
As reported by the BBC, Brussels drew up the list of products in March when Donald Trump initially proposed the 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% on aluminium, which also target Canada, Mexico and other close US allies.
According to Malmstrom, the EU response is proportionate and in line with World Trade Organization rules. She said that counter-measures – which affect €2.8bn worth of US goods – would be removed if Washington removed its metal tariffs.
EU steel and aluminium exports now facing US tariffs are worth a total of €6.4bn.
