In the middle of the corona crisis, the trade war between the United States and China continues. Brussels is responding to Washington's punitive tariffs with similar measures. This time it's about things like playing cards and lighters.
Brussels (dpa) - In response to new US punitive tariffs on steel and aluminum exports, the European Union imposes additional tariffs on products such as playing cards, lighters and plastic covers for furniture.
This was announced by the EU Commission in Brussels. The measure is exactly proportional to the US decision of February 8.
At that time, the government of US President Donald Trump had extended the steel tariffs imposed in 2018. This meant that special levies were also due on products such as steel nails, staples, wire and cables. Now, as was the case after Trump's original decision in 2018, the EU is taking countermeasures that hit roughly the same volume of trade.
The scope was relatively limited, the Commission said. The "compensatory measures" would also be imposed in accordance with the EU's obligations under the rules of the World Trade Organization WTO and reported to the WTO.
The current corona crisis shows how important it is to maintain trade and supply chains. In order to support the recovery, partners are expected to lift unlawful tariffs, including those on steel and aluminum, the commission said.
Trump, in 2018, with reference to national security, covered the whole world with special tariffs on steel and aluminum. Trump is bothered that the U.S. trade balance has been in the red for years. He sees the enormous balance as a result of the policies of other countries, which he believes promote their export economies with unfair methods. Trump is putting pressure on large trading partners to import more from the United States.