Customs duties: The European Union has a plan to counter Trump

Disappointing negotiations concerning the customs duties imposed by the President of the United States on European products? The response will be significant: a tax on €95 billion worth of American imports, including aircraft and cars.

On 8 May, the European Union (EU) appeared threatening. It announced a 'public consultation' on a long list of products made in the United States, reports the media outlet L'Indépendant. Products that could be impacted by European customs duties if Donald Trump doesn't end his trade war. Household appliances, electrical equipment, batteries, agricultural and agri-food products (including wines and bourbon) are also on this famous list.

If the US President maintains the surcharges on European exports during the negotiations, these imports 'could be subject to retaliatory measures' indicates the AFP.

Agreements are still possible

These measures don't stop there since Brussels has expressed its intention to take the World Trade Organization to court over the customs duties it has been subjected to. According to the EU, this is a 'blatant violation of WTO rules' and it intends to 'reaffirm the importance of respecting international rules'.

Meanwhile, the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, has stated that she's "fully committed" to finding solutions. "We believe that it's possible to conclude good agreements that benefit consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic," she stressed, while indicating that it was necessary to prepare "for all contingencies" from Washington.

(MH with Manon Pierre - Source: L'Indépendant - Illustration: ©Unsplash)