The imperative is to treat to avoid the worst. But in case it goes badly, countermeasures are already ready. The first meeting of the ministers of the 27 on the duties imposed by Donald Trump relaunches an "unexpected" unity of the EU member countries. The preferred line remains that of negotiation. Indeed, according to what was announced by the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, an offer has already been made: to reciprocally apply zero tariffs on industrial goods. However, US president Donald Trump is apparently turning a deaf ear and therefore tomorrow he will arrive the green light for the first counter-duties, which will start on April 15th.
From Jeans to Motorcycles: The List of Counter-Duties
The ministers would have agreed on the list of counter-duties decided by the Commission on March 12, in response to the American tariffs on steel and aluminum. Two phases are planned: a first, minority one, will come into force on April 15. A second, more substantial one, will be operational on May 15.
Brussels will target US products worth 22 billion of euros compared to the 26 announced in mid-March, to which thethe counter-tariffs of 25% and 10%.
Among the goods that will be subject to duties are iconic motorcycles Harley-Davidson and the jeans Levi's, but also luxury yacht, orange juice and peanut butter.
According to what was revealed byAnsa, Bourbon, wine and dairy products have reportedly been removed from the list of countermeasures developed by the European Commission to respond to Donald Trump's duties. The text has not been officially confirmed by the Commission. The new version of the list, which is 66 pages long, does not include the customs codes relating to whiskey, spirits or wine, as requested by Italy and France to avoid very serious repercussions on wine and champagne. Duties are instead expected on diamonds, eggs, nuts, dental floss, sausages and poultry, playing cards, as well as industrial and agricultural products, including steel and aluminum, fabrics, household appliances, plastics. Dairy products, initially included, such as milk, butter, yogurt or cheese, have been eliminated from the list.
The European counter-duties will be voted on Wednesday by the States while “collection begins on April 15th for the first part – explained Trade Commissioner Šefcovic – and, in full compliance with the WTO methodology, the second part will enter into force 30 days later”. On some products, such as soybeans, almonds and walnuts, the counter duties will be collected from December XNUMXst.
As explained by the Courier, the Commission's strategy is to target products located in politically sensitive states (with Republican majorities), without harming European interests: soybeans from Louisiana, beef and poultry from Nebraska and Kansas, wood products from Georgia, Virginia and Alabama. These are goods for which the EU believes it has alternatives.
The zero tariff proposal on industry
"We offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods, as we have successfully done with many other trading partners, because Europe is always ready for a good deal”, announced the President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Brussels' move primarily concerns six sectors: auto, pharmaceutical, chemical, plastic, rubber, machinery. And it is a hand that remains outstretched, although Washington has so far refused to shake it. The offer would revolutionize the EU-US market by reviving the TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) that was shelved in 2016 after long controversies. The support of the 27, at least in these initial stages, would seem to be there, including Italy. "The ideal would be zero tariffs. The middle way could be a 10% reduction in rates by the US," explained the head of the Farnesina. The words of Sefcovic, chief negotiator for the EU, were measured, but firm. The Slovakian noted that not seeing the “real commitment” of the Americans to deal and at the same time explained that, sooner or later, the Trump administration will sit down at the table.
Trump: EU will have to buy energy from us
Donald Trump he reiterated the accusation that “the EU was created to harm the US” on the trade front. “Many countries, not all, wanted to create a monopoly against us,” he said, complaining that the US pays NATO to defend countries that then “cheat” the United States on the trade front.The EU will have to buy energy from us, trade with the EU must be fair and reciprocal,” he added.
The Italian government meets with businesses
The meeting took place yesterday at Palazzo Chigi task force created by the Government to try to understand how to deal with the effects of the duties imposed by Trump. Ministers Giancarlo Giorgetti (Economy), Adolfo Urso (Business), Francesco Lollobrigida (Agriculture) and Tommaso Foti (European Affairs), would have illustrated to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "the various hypotheses under study to support production chains and relaunch the competitiveness of companies", explains the final note. Among the options on the table would be that of using 5-6 billion PNRR funds of the Industry 5.0 plan to support the affected sectors, as well as a simplification of the regulatory framework and the revision of some Green Deal rules.
It is scheduled for today, at 15pm, a meeting at Palazzo Chigi with representatives of the manufacturing world.
