This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44567636
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
EU tariffs on US goods come into force | EU tariffs on US goods come into force |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The European Union (EU) has introduced retaliatory tariffs on US goods as a top official launched a fresh attack on President Donald Trump's trade policy. | The European Union (EU) has introduced retaliatory tariffs on US goods as a top official launched a fresh attack on President Donald Trump's trade policy. |
The duties on €2.8bn (£2.4bn) worth of US goods came into force on Friday. | The duties on €2.8bn (£2.4bn) worth of US goods came into force on Friday. |
Tariffs have been imposed on products such as bourbon whiskey, motorcycles and orange juice. | Tariffs have been imposed on products such as bourbon whiskey, motorcycles and orange juice. |
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said duties imposed by the US on the EU go against "all logic and history". | European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said duties imposed by the US on the EU go against "all logic and history". |
India, meanwhile, has raised taxes on 29 products imported from the US - including some agricultural goods, steel and iron products - in retaliation for the wide-ranging US tariffs. | |
The new duties will come into effect from 4 August and will affect US almonds, walnuts and chick peas, among other products. | |
India is a top buyer of US almond exports and so the move is expected to hurt farmers in America. | |
The Trump administration announced in March that it would introduce tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminium imported into the US. | The Trump administration announced in March that it would introduce tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminium imported into the US. |
After being deferred, the duties on steel and aluminium went ahead on 1 June and affect the EU, Canada, Mexico and other close US allies, including India. | |
European Commission president Mr Juncker, who has previously criticised the move, said on Thursday: "It goes against all logic and history. Our response must be clear but measured." | |
Addressing the Irish parliament in Dublin, he added that "we will do what we have to do to rebalance and safeguard" the EU. | Addressing the Irish parliament in Dublin, he added that "we will do what we have to do to rebalance and safeguard" the EU. |
The majority of US goods targeted by the EU, such as tobacco, Harley Davidson motorcycles, cranberries and peanut butter, will now carry a tariff of 25%. | The majority of US goods targeted by the EU, such as tobacco, Harley Davidson motorcycles, cranberries and peanut butter, will now carry a tariff of 25%. |
However, the EU has introduced a 50% duty on goods such as footwear, some types of clothing and washing machines. | However, the EU has introduced a 50% duty on goods such as footwear, some types of clothing and washing machines. |
The new duties have been imposed as tensions over trade continued to grow between the US and China. | The new duties have been imposed as tensions over trade continued to grow between the US and China. |
Earlier this week, Mr Trump threatened to impose 10% duties on an additional $200bn (£150bn) worth of Chinese goods which he said would come into force if China "refuses to change its practices". | Earlier this week, Mr Trump threatened to impose 10% duties on an additional $200bn (£150bn) worth of Chinese goods which he said would come into force if China "refuses to change its practices". |
However, China accused the US of an act of "extreme pressure and blackmail" and said it would respond with "strong countermeasures". | However, China accused the US of an act of "extreme pressure and blackmail" and said it would respond with "strong countermeasures". |
Why is the US imposing tariffs? | Why is the US imposing tariffs? |
President Trump believes that if you have a trade deficit - if you import more than you export - you are losing out. | President Trump believes that if you have a trade deficit - if you import more than you export - you are losing out. |
He is especially irked by the hefty deficits in US trade with China and Mexico, but has indicated that he will not let any country "take advantage of us on trade anymore". | He is especially irked by the hefty deficits in US trade with China and Mexico, but has indicated that he will not let any country "take advantage of us on trade anymore". |
The US trade deficit has increased in recent years, running at around $50 billion (£38bn). | The US trade deficit has increased in recent years, running at around $50 billion (£38bn). |
However, this could be the result of a stronger economy, with US consumers buying more goods from overseas. | However, this could be the result of a stronger economy, with US consumers buying more goods from overseas. |
The new tariffs are meant to correct this imbalance. | The new tariffs are meant to correct this imbalance. |
There were confrontational scenes and words after the recent G7 summit in Quebec, at which the other major world economies challenged Mr Trump's tariffs and trade policies. | There were confrontational scenes and words after the recent G7 summit in Quebec, at which the other major world economies challenged Mr Trump's tariffs and trade policies. |
A photo from the summit went viral, showing the leaders of the other member nations standing over the president, sitting with his arms crossed. | A photo from the summit went viral, showing the leaders of the other member nations standing over the president, sitting with his arms crossed. |
The US tariffs, and retaliatory measures from other states, have caused fears of a trade war, weighing on global stocks. | The US tariffs, and retaliatory measures from other states, have caused fears of a trade war, weighing on global stocks. |
In the past however, President Trump has said trade wars are good and "easy to win", despite a jittery response from the markets. | In the past however, President Trump has said trade wars are good and "easy to win", despite a jittery response from the markets. |