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The European Union (EU) is preparing to target a wide range of US goods, including planes, cars, and whiskey, with tariffs if ongoing trade negotiations with Washington collapse.
This move comes as the bloc intensifies its efforts to secure a deal.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic was scheduled to meet with US counterpart Jamieson Greer on Tuesday, following a discussion yesterday with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Despite the escalating tensions, the European Commission expressed optimism for a “good outcome” in the tariff standoff
Trump’s Ultimatum and the EU’s Response
US President Donald Trump recently complicated months of EU-US negotiations by threatening a 30-per-cent levy on EU goods starting August 1 if no agreement is reached.
Prior to this ultimatum, the EU had hoped to finalise an accord last week to avert higher tariffs and a damaging trade war with its largest trading partner.
On Monday, Brussels informed member states of a potential list of US goods, valued at 72 billion euros ($84 billion), that could face tariffs if negotiations fail.
Several EU capitals are reportedly urging the bloc to adopt an even tougher stance.
The extensive 202-page document, seen by AFP, includes major items such as US-made aircraft, cars, chemicals, and electrical equipment. It also features a surprising array of other products, from live bees, camels, and parrots to condoms and opium.
Notably, bourbon whiskey is on the list, despite initial resistance from France and Italy, who feared retaliation against European wines and spirits. Nails, snails, and Christmas trees are also included.
Ongoing Negotiations and Looming Deadline
Commission spokesman Olof Gill declined to elaborate on Sefcovic’s call with Lutnick but confirmed that a technical team from the Commission is currently in Washington.
“We are in the most sensitive stage of those negotiations right now, working towards getting an agreement in principle over the line before the deadline,” Gill told reporters.
He added, “We wouldn’t be engaging in negotiations if we didn’t think those negotiations could lead to a good outcome. So clearly, we think that an agreement in principle, as we have said, is within reach.”
This new list of potential reprisal targets complements an earlier package worth 21 billion euros, which was drafted after Trump imposed tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports. That initial retaliation remains suspended until early next month to allow further negotiations.
Gill stated that the EU would not decide on implementing the second round of tariffs before the August 1 deadline.
