The Trump administration’s proposal to impose new tariffs on $11bn of EU products has threatened to escalate transatlantic tension, raising fears that Washington would target Europe after reaching a possible trade deal with China.
The White House said it was considering the sweeping levies in response to EU subsidies to support Airbus, the European aerospace and defence group, which were judged illegal by the World Trade Organization. The list of possible tariffs presented by the US cover a wide gamut of goods, from aeroplanes and helicopters to sensitive agricultural products such as cheese and wine.
“The World Trade Organization finds that the European Union subsidies to Airbus has adversely impacted the United States, which will now put Tariffs on $11 Billion of EU products!” Donald Trump wrote in a tweet on Tuesday. “The EU has taken advantage of the US on trade for many years. It will soon stop!”