Even with the trade dispute between China and the United States possibly wrapping up, the Trump administration is set to engage in trade fights on other fronts. Currently, the American government is reportedly mulling tariffs on $11 billion worth of European Union goods.
The World Trade Organization has found that subsidies to support airplane giant Airbus are hurting the United States. In response, the American government may slap tariffs on not just aircraft, but also cheese and other products. The total amount of goods targeted would be subject to arbitration at the WTO.
The case has been in litigation for 14 years but is now close to finishing up. The United States is trying to get the European Union to drop its subsidies to Airbus and has pledged to lift duties on imported goods once subsidies are cut.
This development marks the latest turn in increasing tensions between the European Union and the United States. The United States has placed separate levies on aluminum and steel imports from the European Union. The EU retaliated with tariffs on roughly $3 billion worth of American goods, including motorcycles and bourbon.
Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on European-produced cars and other products. The United States suffers a massive trade deficit with the European Union. In 2018, America imported nearly $490 billion worth of EU goods while exporting only $318 billion.
President Trump has been trying to narrow the trade deficit, but through the year so far, it’s only increased. It’s unclear if the president’s policies are making the situation worse or if other economic factors are at play.
