(Reuters)-The European Union intends to propose tariffs on Boeing jets while preparing to retaliate further if commercial negotiations with the United States fail, the Financial Times said on Wednesday.
The European Commission, which supervises the EU’s trade policy, plans to include civil aircraft on a list of about $ 100 billion in US annual imports, the report said two people familiar with the subject.
The measures, which would need to be approved by a qualified majority of member states, would only come into force if the EU does not make enough progress in its US negotiations to reduce tariffs on European products, the article added.
EU chief of commerce, Maros Sefcovic, said on Tuesday that they were not under pressure to accept an unfair tariff agreement with the United States.
Boeing and the European Commission did not immediately respond to Reuters’ comments requests.
The EU faces US import tariffs of 25% over its steel, aluminum and cars. She also has to deal with “reciprocal” rates of 10% “reciprocal” for almost every other products, including aircraft, which can increase to 20% after the 90 -day break -in break, Donald Trump, expire on July 8.
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European airlines have hundreds of jets ordered from the US aircraft manufacturer, betting on an expanding aerospace market, but possible taxes may significantly increase the prices of these aircraft.
Sources in the sector said the EU should ensure equal conditions in tariffs between Boeing and European Airbus, retaliating Washington’s taxes.
But unlike an earlier tariff war involving aviation in 2020 and 2021, European and American aerospace companies came to consensus by asking for suspension of all tariffs.
