EU backs tariffs against US as trade war escalates

EU countries today approved a raft of tariffs targeting US goods including whiskey and motorcycles in retaliation against painful duties imposed by President Donald Trump on European metals.

Europe's move fuels a growing transatlantic trade war just days after a disastrous G7 summit in Canada at which Trump lambasted his allies on the issue and refused to adopt a joint statement.

The European countermeasures aimed at 2.8 billion euros (USD 3.3 billion) of American imports come after Trump on June 1 followed through on his threat to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminium exports.

"Member states have today unanimously supported the commission's plan for the adoption of rebalancing measures on the US tariffs on steel and aluminium," a European Commission source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The source added that the EU tariffs would take effect "in coming days", with other officials saying they would be implemented by the beginning of July.

Brussels first drew up the list in March when Trump initially floated the 25 per cent tariffs on steel imports and 10 per cent on aluminium, which also target Canada, Mexico and other close allies.

From blue jeans to motorbikes and whiskey, the EU's hit-list of products targeted for tariffs with the US reads like a catalogue of emblematic American exports.

The list does not specifically name brands but European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker spelled out in March that the bloc was "preparing import duties for US products including Harley-Davidson, bourbon and Levi's jeans."