Contingency measures in the US-EU trade war
8.10.2019
Question for written answer P-003140-19
to the Commission
Rule 138
Jordi Cañas (Renew)
The Trump Administration has ratcheted up the trade war between the United States and the European Union following the World Trade Organisation’s decision to allow the US to set tariffs on products imported from the EU at a value of EUR 6.9 billion in response to the subsidies granted to Airbus. This means that as of 18 October 2019, additional tariffs of 25% will be levied on European exports of certain food and agricultural products, particularly wine, oil and cheese.
Utterly unfairly, the agri-food industries of various European countries will bear the brunt of this fierce trade war. This is notably the case in Spain, where the prices of exported products could be doubled, giving rise to serious commercial and economic losses with direct consequences in terms of employment.
This is a crushing blow for our producers. It is wholly unjust that they have become embroiled in a trade dispute which they did not start nor wish to be involved in, and the European Union has a duty to protect them. With that in mind:
- 1.Has the Commission drawn up an emergency plan designed to prevent adverse effects on our producers in the short term?
- 2.What immediate contingency measures will be put in place to reduce the risk of producers losing their competitive edge and market access?