Commission Consults on Possible Countermeasures and Readies WTO Litigation in Response to US Tariffs

Excerpt:  “The European Commission has launched a public consultation on a list of US imports which could become subject to EU countermeasures, if ongoing EU-US negotiations do not result in a mutually beneficial outcome and the removal of the US tariffs. … Since the US imposed its unjustified and harmful tariffs, the EU has prioritised finding a mutually beneficial and balanced solution through negotiations, including within the framework of the 90-day partial suspension of tariffs announced by the US. These negotiations are ongoing both at political and technical level. The EU continues to prepare potential countermeasures to defend its consumers and industry, in parallel with the negotiations and in case these fail to deliver a satisfactory outcome. While the public consultation is a necessary step in this process, it does not automatically result in the adoption of countermeasures. In parallel, the EU will also launch a WTO dispute against the US on its universal so-called ‘reciprocal’ tariffs and tariffs on cars and car parts, by formally lodging a request for consultations.”