Ane Barcos
The European Commission launched a public consultation on Thursday on a list of US imports worth €95 billion that could be subject to tariff countermeasures if negotiations with the US fail to reach a satisfactory agreement. Restrictions on European exports to the US worth €4.4 billion are also being considered.
The list covers a wide range of industrial and agricultural products from the US, including frozen beef, fresh pork, vehicles, agricultural machinery, Atlantic salmon, and even exotic products such as crocodile meat and seal meat. On the European Union side, the Commission is also evaluating possible measures on products such as steel scrap, aluminum scrap, prepared enzymes, and odorous mixtures used in the food and beverage industry.
This consultation aims to address both the universal tariffs applied by the US and the taxes on automobiles and their components.
Since the imposition of these “unjustified and harmful” tariffs by the United States, Brussels explained, the EU has prioritized reaching a negotiated and balanced solution, including within the framework of the 90-day partial tariff suspension announced by the United States.
Brussels stated that it continues with both political and technical negotiations, but at the same time is working on possible countermeasures to protect European consumers and industry, should these talks fail. In this regard, the Commission clarified that the public consultation is a necessary step, but does not imply the automatic adoption of countermeasures.
Furthermore, the EU government has initiated a formal dispute with the WTO against the “reciprocal” tariffs and taxes on vehicles and components, considering that these measures violate international standards. Brussels is also monitoring possible trade diversions to the European market and seeking agreements with other trading partners to diversify its exports and supply sources. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to a negotiated solution, but made it clear that the bloc is prepared to act if negotiations fail.
Brussels noted that, despite some measures being temporarily suspended, more than 70% of EU exports to the US are affected, which is already increasing costs, slowing growth, and increasing economic uncertainty.