EU states on Thursday approved a 93-billion-euro ($109-billion) package of counter-tariffs on US goods that would kick in from August 7 if talks with the United States fail, European diplomats said.
US President Donald Trump blindsided the European Union this month when he threatened a 30-per-cent levy on EU goods unless the two sides reach a trade deal by August 1.
Brussels and Washington appear to be inching towards a deal with a baseline 15-per-cent levy on EU goods, but the bloc is still forging ahead with detailed retaliatory plans in the event of no accord.
Thursday’s list includes previously agreed levies on 21 billion euros of US goods, including soybeans. Added to that is a second list of 72 billion euros put forward by the European Commission this month, targeting dozens more products including US planes, cars and whisky.
Backed by 26 EU countries except Hungary, the counter-tariffs on the totality of the goods targeted would be up to 30 per cent, European diplomats told AFP.