MOSCOW, July 15 — The European Union (EU) has prepared a list of tariffs on American goods worth a total of €21 billion (US$24.49 billion) if a trade agreement is not reached with the United States (US), Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani said, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
"A list of European duties worth €21 billion is already ready, and a second one can be added to it. I am sure that progress will be made. Tariffs harm everyone, starting with the United States. If the stock market falls, Americans' pensions and savings will be at risk," he said in an interview with the Il Messaggero newspaper on Monday.
Tajani noted that the EU and the US could reach an agreement in principle, as the United Kingdom did, and then begin technical negotiations on individual trade categories in the coming months.
"Our long-term goal is zero tariffs. An open market between Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe," he said.
On July 12, US President Donald Trump announced that he would impose 30 per cent tariffs on imported European goods starting August 1, while the previous sectoral tariffs would remain in force.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU would continue negotiations with Washington, but warned that it was prepared to introduce countermeasures.
— Bernama
