Aircraft, cars and bourbon are at the heart of the European Commission’s list established in response to Donald Trump. This list could become effective if the American president confirms customs duties of 30 % on all imports of the European Union as of August 1, as he decreed this weekend.
The European executive still has the hope of finding a negotiated solution with the United States before this deadline. The commissioner responsible for these negotiations with the Trump administration on behalf of the 27 EU member states, Maros Sefcovic, will also exchange on Tuesday with his American counterpart after a first call on Monday. “We are currently in the most delicate phase of negotiations and we strive to obtain an agreement in principle before the deadline,” said one of his spokespersons, Olof Gill.
The equivalent of 72 billion euros
The targeted imports, which represent a total value of 72 billion euros, will only be taxed if the European Union fails to conclude an agreement on the lifting of customs measures decided by the American president. The 202 -page document, including American cars and planes, fresh fruit, fish, plastics, chemicals and electrical equipment. But also Bourbon, despite repeated protests from France and Italy, which fear seeing their wines and spirits taxed in return.
Some products may surprise, such as Christmas trees, living bees, camels and ostriches, condoms, opium, pearls or hair. The list, on the other hand, includes key exports from the United States such as soybeans, as well as various devices such as sewing machines.
Our file on customs duties
The Commission had already established a first list of American products to tax, in response to a previous salve of American customs duties. However, she was suspended in order to give negotiations a chance and to avoid a war with her first trading partner.