US food organization criticizes retaliation tariffs on EU “adverse effects on US employment”

[Washington, 3rd Reuters]-The US food industry group has decided to raise food prices and cut US jobs ahead of the holiday season in response to the US government's decision to trigger retaliation duties on agricultural products in the European Union There is criticism that it will be connected.

US Trade Representative (USTR) on the 2nd issue of EU subsidies for a major aircraft Airbus, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has approved the introduction of retaliatory duties on European products by the United States. Announced that it would trigger retaliation duties.

A 25% tariff is levied on EU agricultural products such as Italian cheese, French wine, Scotch whiskey, British biscuits and Spanish olives.

In addition to the decline in sales due to tariffs, the US Luxury Food Association has announced that employment will be adversely affected at 14,000 luxury food stores in Japan and 20,000 other food stores in Japan. He indicated that the impact would be “dramatic”.

“As the holiday season approaches, the association hits the American wallet. The cheese and ham assortment, which costs $ 45 now, will be $ 60 after the tariff is activated. "The treat is out of reach."

According to the Scotch Whiskey Association, single-malt whiskeys subject to tariffs are worth US $ 460 million, accounting for more than half of UK products subject to tariffs.

Cognac, champagne, and leather products are not subject to customs duties, so stock prices of British luxury brand Burberry <BRBY.L> and French luxury liquor giant Remy Cointreau <RCOP.PA> The price rose.

Jose Andres, a well-known chef who operates a non-profit organization that provides food in the affected areas and owns a large number of restaurants in the United States, said, "Not only the local economy in Europe but also thousands of SMEs across the country "I get out," criticized on Twitter. He called President Trump "You are a businessman. If you negotiate with the enemy, first negotiate with your allies."