The European Union confirmed it is considering imposing tariffs on U.S. exports including bourbon whiskey and Levi's jeans in retaliation against planned U.S. tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum.
The EU, which is awaiting a final decision by the U.S., would also take the issue to the World Trade Organization if U.S. President Donald Trump imposed taxes on European steel, Cecilia Malmström, EU's Commissioner for Trade, told BBC News.
"We will of course, possibly with others, take this decision to the WTO. We are also looking at different safeguard measures on our own steel and aluminium, and yes, we are looking at possibilities to retaliate, meaning that we will also put taxes or tariffs on U.S. imports to the European Union. But of course, we wait till the final decision," Malmström said.
The EU on March 2 was said to be looking at imposing tariffs of 25% on roughly $3.5 billion worth of U.S. exports, including Levi's jeans, Harley-Davidson motorbikes and Bourbon whiskey.
The U.S. president threatened to slam tariffs on European cars if the EU follows through on its promise of retaliation.
Meanwhile, Trump hinted in a tweet that he would be willing to drop steel and aluminium tariffs on Canada and Mexico if the U.S. gets a better deal in the latest North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA.
