BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union’s trade commissioner said yesterday she hopes an EU mission to Washington will ease a transatlantic trade dispute but the bloc is preparing a list of US imports to hit if the United States imposes tariffs on EU cars.
Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom will travel to Washington on July 25 with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, with the latter due to hold talks focused on trade with US President Donald Trump.
The United States imposed tariffs on EU steel and aluminum on June 1 and Mr Trump is threatening to extend them to EU cars and car parts.
Ms Malmstrom said the US car sector was healthy and that no one involved in the sector had called for tariffs.
The EU has already imposed its own import tariffs on 2.8 billion euros ($3.25 billion) worth of U.S. products ranging from bourbon to motor-bikes.
Corresponding measures for cars would be far higher.
The Commission on Wednesday briefed representatives of EU countries on possible action.
