Everything to whiskey! What does the EU prepare Trump
The European Union (EU) proposes to copy the taxes introduced by the US to steel and aluminum imports through 25% customs tariffs, but will except for Burbon type whiskey in the idea of avoiding Washington’s reprisals for European wines and drinks, AFP shows.
However, these European customs tariffs are intended to respond to American fees for steel and aluminum, which have entered into force in March.
Several European wine producing countries, such as Italy and France, have pleaded for the exemption of American Bourbon, after the threat of Washington that it will react by imposing a 200% customs rates for European spirits and drinks.
As a result, AFP informs that Bourbon type whiskey does not appear on the list of European reprisals, communicated to the 27 Member States, before the meeting on Wednesdays of the representatives of the Member States, which will take place in Brussels.
Instead, the list includes agricultural products such as soy, poultry, rice and more fruits. Brussels also intends to introduce 25% customs tariffs for wood, motorcycles, plastics, electrical equipment or US makeup products.
Most of these taxes could come into effect in mid -May, if EU Member States will agree. But some rates, as is the case for the US almonds, will only enter into force in December.
However, the European Union has not yet responded to the ‘mutual’ customs tariffs, announced last week by Donald Trump, which amounts to 20% for all products from the EU. The European response on these mutual rates could be presented ‘at the beginning of the next week’, a European Commission spokesman announced on Tuesday.
