European chocolates, olives and 28 other items could be hit with $3.1 billion in new US tariffs
The United States already levied 15% to 25% tariffs on $7.5 billion worth of other European goods as part of this dispute. The new items could be hit with tariffs of as much as 100%, according to the notice.
That decision opened the way for the United States to put tariffs on European goods.
Now, with the announcement of the new tariffs, the agency will start to hear comments from those who will be affected. Beyond the food and beverage items, most of the 30 items on the list are business tools such as metal stamping and punching equipment.
The EU criticized the US announcement, saying it is possible these next round of tariffs could go beyond what is allowed by the WTO.
“It creates uncertainty for companies and inflicts unnecessary economic damage on both sides of the Atlantic,” said the EU in its statement. “This is particularly the case as companies are now trying to overcome the economic difficulties in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis.”
It said the only way to settle the dispute is through negotiations. It said it made “concrete proposals” to resolve the underlying aircraft dispute.
Tariffs are typically paid by American consumers if the exporter does not pay the cost of the tax itself. Some businesses which have been hit by previous tariffs were quick to object to this latest action.
“EU and US distilled spirits companies have suffered enough as a result of this trade war,” said the trade group. “The longer these disputes go unresolved, the greater the threat of even more tariffs on our industry.”
