The European Union will roll out a range of retaliatory tariffs against US exports on Friday, targeting items such as American blue jeans, bourbon and motorbikes.
The tariffs are in response to US President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes on imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico.
At the start of the month, the US introduced 25 per cent tariffs on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium, with Mr Trump justifying the move as national security.
Mr Trump said the global oversupply of those metals – driven by China – threated American steel and aluminium producers.
The European Commission announced the retaliatory tariffs on Wednesday, saying it will initially target a list of US goods worth 2.8 billion euros (AU$4.3 billion), most of which will be hit with import duties of 25 per cent.
US President Donald Trump. Source: AP
"We did not want to be in this position. However, the unilateral and unjustified decision of the United States to impose steel and aluminium tariffs on the EU means that we are left with no other choice," EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said.
The items targeted also include steel products and agricultural produce such as orange juice and rice.
"The rules of international trade, which we have developed over the years hand in hand with our American partners, cannot be violated without a reaction from our side," Ms Malmstrom said.
She described the EU’s response "measured, proportionate and fully in line with WTO rules”.
The tariffs come as the US squares off with China.
This week, Mr Trump threatened to impose additional duties on Chinese goods if China “refuses to change its practices”.
In response, China accused the US of “blackmail”, raising fears of a trade war.
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