European unions and officials are urging the EU to exclude food and drink items from the list of retaliatory tariffs against the US.
Potential Impact of EU's Retaliatory Measures
The EU plans to impose 50% tariffs on bourbon following a 25% US tariff on steel and aluminum. US President Donald Trump threatened a 200% tariff on European beverages, including wine and champagne. French, Italian, and Irish officials have expressed concerns about the impact of such measures on trade.
Negotiations and Diplomacy: Countries' Stances
Leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, are calling for discussions with the US to reduce tariffs. Italy's agriculture minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, expressed concern about additional burdens on wine exports while remaining optimistic about possible solutions. Countries urge the EU to delay final tariff decisions, allowing more time for talks.
Calls for Exemptions and Industry Objections
Industries such as the spirits and timber sectors are calling on the EU to exclude their products from the retaliatory tariff list. Peter Burke, Ireland's trade minister, noted that the Irish government supports negotiations to fine-tune EU measures for protecting producers' interests. Agricultural organizations like Copa-Cogeca urge the exclusion of soybeans, arguing their importance to the livestock sector.
Despite calls for excluding certain goods from tariff lists, the European Commission maintains significant sway over decisions, given the difficulty of altering plans. Temporary delays continue to provide hope for a collaborative solution through dialogue.
