EU Commission consults public to counter US tariffs, readies WTO case

The list put to consultation concerns imports from the United States worth €95 billion, covering a broad range of industrial and agricultural products.

The Commission is also consulting on possible restrictions on certain EU exports of steel scrap and chemical products to the United States worth €4.4 billion, an official release said.

Since the United States imposed its ‘unjustified and harmful’ tariffs, the EU has prioritised finding a mutually beneficial and balanced solution through negotiations, including within the framework of the 90-day partial suspension of tariffs announced by the former.

These negotiations are under way both at political and technical levels. The EU continues to prepare potential countermeasures to defend its consumers and industry, in parallel with the negotiations and in case these fail to deliver a satisfactory outcome.

While the public consultation is a necessary step in this process, it does not automatically result in the adoption of countermeasures, the release from the Commission noted.

In parallel, the EU will also launch a World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute against the United States on its universal ‘reciprocal’ tariffs and tariffs on cars and car parts, by formally lodging a request for consultations. The EU feels these tariffs ‘blatantly violate’ fundamental WTO rules.

The Commission also continues to monitor the potential diversion of global exports onto the EU market, which might be caused by the US tariffs imposed on third countries.

It will continue to pursue negotiations with other trading partners to find new export outlets and diversify its sources of supply.

Currently, €379 billion (70 per cent) worth EU exports to the United States are subject to new tariffs (including tariffs put on pause) since the new US administration took office.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)