EU threatens US with USD 20 billion tit-for-tat tariffs

The EU is mulling tit-for-tat tariffs of around USD 20 billion on US products if Washington goes ahead with its threat of new tolls on European cars, the bloc's trade commissioner said today.

"We hope that this won't happen and that we can reach a solution. If not, then the European Commission will prepare a long list on American goods. It would amount to around USD 20 billion," Cecilia Malmstrom told the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter (DN).

She said the US goods would include machinery, agricultural and high-tech products, among others.

Her comments came as US President Donald Trump was set to meet with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in the US capital for talks over a festering trade dispute between the two key economies.

Trump, who has threatened to impose tariffs on European autos and auto parts, said it was his tough stance that brought the European leader to the bargaining table.

Juncker, who reiterated that Brussels would retaliate if Trump goes through with the measures, told German public broadcaster ZDF today that the EU is "not in the dock -- we don't need to defend ourselves."