EU proposes counter-tariffs – US grains and soy on the list

The European Commission has published a list of US products that may be subject to counter-tariffs if negotiations with the United States about lifting the tariffs break down. The list comprises 218 pages of US products worth €95 billion.

The list primarily includes agricultural and industrial products, including grains and soy-related products, meats and vegetables, whiskey, motorcycle and aircraft parts. The Commission also aims to restrict EU exports of steel scrap and chemical products, together worth €4.4 billion.

There are no pharmaceutical products or products that are difficult to import from elsewhere on the list, a committee source said. Stakeholders, including producers, can submit objections to the list up until June 10. “We don’t want to shoot ourselves in the foot,” the source stated.

The new list differs from the one published by the Commission last month as a retaliatory measure. The EU decided to pause these countermeasures for 90 days, after US President Donald Trump did the same for an overall import tariff of 20%.

The pause runs until 14 July. The EU is using this time to negotiate with the US, aiming for the removal of all mutual tariffs. The European Commission has not shared details on how those negotiations are progressing. However, it acknowledges that some tariffs may remain, which is why this list of retaliatory tariffs has been prepared.

The EU wants to continue negotiating with the US to lift trade tariffs, says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “We are convinced that there are good deals to be had for the benefit of consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Tags: exports, Grains, US, European Commission, vegetables, products, meats, tariffs, soy-related products