EU slaps revenge tariffs on US as trade war erupts
The tariffs, which took effect at 10pm GMT on Thursday, are on Harley-Davidsons, bourbon, Levi’s jeans, cranberries, and peanut butter, among other products
Brussels — The EU slapped revenge tariffs on iconic US products including bourbon, jeans and motorcycles on Friday in its opening salvo in a trade war with US President Donald Trump. The tariffs, which took effect at 10pm GMT on Thursday, according to the EU’s official journal, will further fuel jitters on world stock markets that are already alarmed by trade tensions between the US and China. Customs agents across Europe’s colossal market of 500-million people will now impose the duty, hiking prices on US-made products in supermarkets and across factory floors. "These measures are the logical consequence of the US decision," French finance minister Bruno Le Maire told AFP. "They reflect a Europe that is resolute and principled." Brussels imposed the raft of duties on US products worth €2.8bn ($3.3bn) in a tit-for-tat response to Trump’s decision to slap stiff tariffs on European steel and aluminium exports. Global markets on Friday took the development in stride, with stocks in Eur...
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