European Union officials agree to the revenge definitions against the United States

The European Union voted on Wednesday for the first approval Revenge measures In response to President Trump’s definitions, and approaching increasing duties on a group of manufactured goods and agricultural products, including soy and corn beans.

The new customs duties will be in effect in the stages that start on April 15, and will affect about 21 billion euros (23 billion dollars) of goods.

The final list responds to the tariff of Mr. Trump steel and aluminum, which is a slightly imitated version of one was first He announced in mid -March.

European Union officials have spent recent weeks in consulting with policy and industry makers from all over the bloc, 27 countries, in an attempt to reduce the damages of Europeans.

The European Union did not immediately publish an official version of the final tariff list, but it was circulated among member states before voting. The definitions range from 10 to 25 percent, based on that document, and will be applied to a wide range of products including foodstuffs such as peanut butter and processed goods such as hair spray.

But European leaders were clear that the goal is to increase the impact on the United States – hoping that the Americans would push the negotiating table – while reducing pain for consumers and companies across Europe.

The final list is expected Powerbon exclusionFor example, after Mr. Trump threatened to put a 200 percent tariffs All European alcohol should in response to its inclusion. It could be a overwhelming kick for wine producers in France, Italy and Spain.

“They are not following the full confrontation,” said Carsten Barzky, an economist in Inge, noting that the response will slowly.

He said that for the European economy, the “size” style can limit the repercussions, while leaving a political field for negotiation. He said that the various national interests, and the desire not to crush the sectors, which are important national priorities, can prevent the followers of a more aggressive approach – such as those that Chinese take.

“Any measures they take may have costs for the European economy as well,” said Chad Bonn, an older colleague at the Peterson International Economy Institute.

Almost all European Union countries voted in favor of the final plan, with Only Hungary Delivering “No” vote.

Although European leaders were evident that they wanted to negotiate, they also confirmed that it is important to show their economic power because the United States is launching a deep commercial battle.

Since last month, America has provided a 25 percent tariff on European steel and aluminum Cars. Last week, it imposed a wide offer 20 percent tariffs for everything else Right from Europe, a tax that came into effect on Wednesday.

European Union officials tried to attract their US counterparts to the table to conclude a deal, and even offered definitions of cars on cars and other industrial products if the United States did the same.

But serious negotiations were slow to achieve.

“We are in the early stages of discussions because the United States is watching the definitions is not as a tactical step but as a corrective measure,” Marus Sivkovic, the European Union Trade Commissioner, He said this week.

Given this, Europe is returning again in an intertwined way, hoping to allow US officials to start talks.

The new revenge definitions determine the first step, and it only comes in response to the steel and aluminum film. They will go slowly: some duties will be collected from April 15, others on May 15, and a small stake will not be run until December 1, according to the European Union official.

European Union officials are expected to announce the next step, a plan to respond to each of the car’s drawings and definitions of 20 percent, as soon as possible next week. Officials are planning to put the proposed lines to respond, then consult Member States, then to vote later on whether it should be moved.

While moving forward in their systematic revenge, European politicians insisted that all options are on the table, which means that it can follow additional measures.

For example, some National officials I suggested that Europe use a new trade weapon often referred to as “Bazooka” for the European Union to strike American services companies, including large technology companies such as Google.

These measures have not been tried before, but Brussels may give a more powerful negotiating site: Europe buys more services than America more than it sells. Europeans are necessary for the lower lines of technology giants.

However, whether this revenge against aggressive services will happen. It will be difficult to design in a way that will not cost Europeans – who have reached services like Google Search and American Technology – and different European capitals have different appetite for revenge.

“We want to negotiate,” said Henna Ferkkounin, the European Union Commissioner who supervises the sovereignty of technology, during a press conference on Wednesday when asked whether access to American technological services would be the right approach.

“But of course, when needed, we must also protect our industry,” she said. “We are currently preparing for these measures.”