EU to impose tit-for-tat tariffs on US imports
Politically sensitive American exports such as jeans, motorbikes and bourbon whiskey will be targeted tomorrow

The EU will impose new tariffs on a number of high-profile US goods this Friday, in retaliation against what it calls Donald Trump’s “unilateral and unjustified” decision to hike duties on aluminium and steel.
The EU’s trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom confirmed that prestige American exports such as jeans, motorbikes and bourbon whiskey will be hit with a 25% import charge, while cranberries, orange juice, sweetcorn and peanut butter will also be targeted. There will even be a 10% tariff on playing cards.
Many of the products the EU has in its sights “are specifically chosen to have maximum political effect” says the BBC.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Bourbon whiskey is produced in Kentucky, the state of Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, while orange juice is a key export for Florida, a swing state in the US elections.
The imposition of retaliatory tariffs by the EU “confirms a tit-for-tat dispute that could escalate into a full trade war, particularly if Trump carries out his threat to penalise European cars”, says Business Insider.
Canada has already announced it will impose retaliatory tariffs on $12.5 billion worth of US exports from 1 July, while Mexico put tariffs on American products ranging from steel to pork and bourbon two weeks ago.
As the prospect of all out-trade war between the world’s largest economies grows, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde warned it could lead to “losers on both sides” and have a "serious" impact on the world economy.
“Economists have warned the US metal tariffs could lead to higher metal costs, disrupt supply chains and even get passed on to US households,” the BBC reports.
Sky News says the US measures “have resulted in official complaints to the World Trade Organisation by those targeted, but such disputes have a habit of dragging on for months if not years”.
Unperturbed, on Sunday Trump raised the stakes in his game of economic brinkmanship with Beijing, threatening to raise tariffs on a further $150bn worth of Chinese goods.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Another Starship blast sets back Musk's Mars hopes
Speed Read Nobody was killed in the explosion, which occurred in south Texas
-
3 tips to save for a cruise this year
The Explainer The convenience of a cruise doesn't necessarily come cheap without some strategic planning
-
Trump gives himself 2 weeks for Iran decision
Speed Read Trump said he believes negotiations will occur in the near future
-
Mortgages: The future of Fannie and Freddie
Feature Donald Trump wants to privatize two major mortgage companies, which could make mortgages more expensive
-
Pocket change: The demise of the penny
Feature The penny is being phased out as the Treasury plans to halt production by 2026
-
Trump is trying to jump-start US manufacturing. Is it worth it?
Today's Big Question The jobs are good. The workers may not be there.
-
What is the dollar's future after Moody's downgrade?
Today's Big Question Trump trade wars and growing debt have investors looking elsewhere
-
The UK-US trade deal: what was agreed?
In Depth Keir Starmer's calm handling of Donald Trump paid off, but deal remains more of a 'damage limitation exercise' than 'an unbridled triumph'
-
Trump vs. China: another tariff U-turn?
Today's Big Question Washington and Beijing make huge tariff cuts, as both sides seek 'exit ramp' from escalating trade war
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
How the US bond market works – and why it matters
The Explainer Donald Trump was forced to U-turn on tariffs after being 'spooked' by rise in Treasury yields