The EU puts forward its retaliatory measures against American customs duties

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The European Commissioner in charge of Commerce. Furthermore, Maroš Šefčovič, presented to European trade ministers gathered on Monday in Brussels for an extraordinary meeting a list of American products of a value of 72 billion euros To include in a pricing retaliation campaign, while American pressure has intensified during the weekend with the threat of Customs duties of 30 % on EU imports from August 1.

“We must be ready for all the outlets. However, including, if necessary, to proportionate measures well reflected to restore balance in our transatlantic relationship“And Précisé Maroš Šefčovič, Ajoutant:”Today, the Commission divides with the Member States the proposal relating to the second list of goods, representing some 72 billion euros in American imports. For example, They will now have the opportunity to discuss it.”

The list proposed by the eu puts forward its retaliatory Commission must still be officially adopted by the Member States. Consequently, It aims for a wide range of products, including American planes and bourbon.

On July 12. Meanwhile, after weeks of negotiations, American president Donald Trump published on the Truth Social Network a letter sent to the Commission, threatening to impose customs duties of 30 % On EU imports if no agreement was concluded by August 1.

Last week. negotiations seemed to have entered the final stretch, the EU having reluctantly accepted a 10 % base fare on its products. Sectoral exemptions were still to be negotiated. the EU having managed to obtain 0 % on planes and spirits and certain American customs duties exceeding 10 % on agricultural products.

“We were very close to an agreement in principle“Regretted Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The United States is currently imposing Customs duties of 50 % on EU steel. aluminum, 25 % eu puts forward its retaliatory on cars and 10 % on all EU imports.

According to a European diplomat, EU reprisals could also include export controls on aluminum waste, which the United States needs.

But if the EU shows its muscles, it continues to give priority to negotiation.

“We remain convinced that our transatlantic relationship deserves a negotiated solution. which leads to renewed stability and cooperation “I said Maroš Šefčovič before announced that he had a planned call with his American counterparts late Monday afternoon.

The chairman of the commission. Ursula von der Leyen, announced on Sunday (July 13) a postponement of the implementation of a first series of retaliation measures aimed at 21 billion euros of American products, which had been suspended until July 15.

According to the same European diplomat. a meeting of the EU ambassadors had initially decided to postpone it at the end of the year, but the new announcements of Donald Trump made these countermeasures eu puts forward its retaliatory more urgent. They were therefore postponed to August 1.

Eu puts forward its retaliatory

Coercion combating instrument

Behind the unit demonstration displayed on Monday by the Member States. diplomats are however well aware that complications will occur once an agreement with the United States will be on the table.

“Let’s be realistic. we will all have different interpretations“said a civil servant of a Member State in Euronews, admitting that once the agreement is concluded, some countries will push for strong reprisals while others will want to avoid climbing, according to their strategic sectors most affected by the United States.

France continues to advocate a hard line towards the United States. eager to put on the table all the tools available to the EU, including the use of the anti-coercion instrument, the “nuclear option” of the commercial defense of the EU, adopted in 2023.

“This pressure. deliberately exerted by the American president in recent days and weeks, eu puts forward its retaliatory highlights our negotiation capacity and must lead us to show that Europe is a power“Explained the French Minister Delegate for Commerce, Laurent Saint-Martin, upon his arrival at the Council, adding:” Europe is a power when it knows how to demonstrate its capacity for reaction “.

“The United States dominates climbing“, A second European diplomat noted in Euronews.

On Sunday. the president of the commission, Ursula von der Leyen, excluded the use of the anti-coercion instrument for the moment.

This tool has been put in place “For extraordinary situations“She said, adding that”We are not there yet“.

This instrument would allow the EU to withdraw licenses and intellectual property rights from foreign companies, including American technology giants.