There’s already a ban on travelers from the European Union entering the United States, but now European delicacies are also getting hit with restrictions. As part of a US-European dispute over government subsidies to aircraft makers, the US may introduce tariffs on European olives, chocolate, gin, beer made with malt, and more. The US Trade Representative announced a list of 30 products that could be hit with tariffs.
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The US May Impose Steep Tariffs on European Chocolate, Coffee, and Beer
Even the World Trade Organization (WTO) is siding with the US on this one. In 2018, the WTO determined that the EU helped Airbus with unfair subsidies that hurt sales of Boeing jets. The WTO also found that Boeing had received unfair tax breaks from Washington state, but even though Washington removed the tax breaks, the EU is still threatening tariffs on US goods in response.
Of the new tariffs, the EU said in a statement, “It creates uncertainty for companies and inflicts unnecessary economic damage on both sides of the Atlantic. This is particularly the case as companies are now trying to overcome the economic difficulties in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis.”
According to the EU, the only way to settle this dispute is through negotiations, not more tariffs. It remains to be seen, however, if the two sides will come to an agreement before our favorite chocolates are taxed. 