The European Commission plans to apply tariffs on about €2.8 billion of U.S. products including makeup, bourbon, steel and motorcycles starting in July in response to Washington's levies on steel and aluminum products.
The EU said World Trade Organization rules allow it to retaliate to an equivalent degree against the U.S. measures, which will affect EU exports worth €6.4 billion in 2017. It plans to take action against another €3.6 billion in U.S. products within three years, or sooner if it receives a positive finding in its dispute settlement process launched at the WTO on June 1.
"This is a measured and proportionate response to the unilateral and illegal decision taken by the United States to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminium exports," European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström said.
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Trade tensions escalated between the world's two biggest economic regions after the U.S. decided not to renew exemptions on steel and aluminum tariffs for the EU, Canada and Mexico. U.S. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. will impose higher tariffs on European cars in case of a retaliation.
According to Panjiva, a data company owned by S&P Global Market Intelligence, the value of the listed products imported by the EU in the 12 months to March 31 was $4.4 billion. Of that total, direct retaliatory tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum exports would apply to $1.5 billion of goods.
A second round of tariffs can then be applied in March 2021, including additional duties to products such as whiskey and motorcycles as well as new products.
"These are led by jewelry products where imports from the U.S. were worth $1.46 billion in the 12 months to March 31, automotive glass worth $686 million, specialist electricals including telecoms equipment worth $506 million and a wide range of personal care products worth $470 million,” Panjiva research analyst Chris Rogers said.
A further quota on steel imports, designed to prevent millions of tonnes of steel being redirected to the EU from the U.S., could also be introduced. The EC said Wednesday that a decision on the investigation launched March 26 could be made "by the summer."

