EU prepared a list of 93 billion euros in retaliation against the USA
The EU adopted the list of retaliatory tariffs proposed by the European Commission against US trade measures by a vote against Hungary alone.
The list includes the first package of measures adopted in early April and targets products such as aircraft, auto and auto parts, orange juice, poultry, soybeans, steel and aluminum, yachts.
Although France and Ireland carried out intense lobbying activities, fearing the US retaliation against wine and alcoholic beverages, Bourbon whiskey was also included in the list.
The Commission also took the opinion of EU industry representatives before presenting the list to member countries.
Countermeasures will enter into force if an agreement cannot be reached by August 1, when US President Donald Trump will apply a 30% tariff on products imported from the EU.
The qualified majority of member states also seem willing to implement anti-coercion measures (ACI) that will enable the EU to impose sanctions on US services in case of no agreement.
Germany has long resisted using this powerful weapon, but now it has joined the ranks of France, a strong advocate of ACI measures.
After dinner between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, a source from the Élysée announced the common opinion of the two leaders on the ongoing negotiations between the EU and the United States.
“The leaders hope for a satisfactory outcome that will be achieved that will protect the interests of the EU,” the source said, adding that they “also want to accelerate work on countermeasures, including enforcement measures, in coordination with the Commission, if an agreement cannot be reached.”
The USA currently imposes a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imported from the EU, 25% on cars and 10% on all imports.