The European Commission failed to secure a customs exemption for wine products in the agreement reached with the United States, a demand particularly pressed by Italy and France.
“Unfortunately, we did not succeed,” said Maros Sefcovic, the Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, during a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, the city hosting the main institutions of the European Union (EU).
The tariff exemption for wine exports was particularly requested by Italy and France, but it is not included in the details of the agreement between the European economic and political bloc and Washington, presented today.
Like most EU products, wine will face a 15% customs increase to enter the US market.
The European Commission argued today that it “achieved the goal” with the trade agreement with the United States, which provides “stability and predictability” and is the “most favorable scenario” Washington offered to a partner country.
The European Commission argued today that it “achieved the goal” with the trade agreement with the US and that it is the “most favorable scenario” Washington offered to a partner country.
“We achieved the goal,” said Maros Sefcovic, regarding a trade agreement with the US that “carries significant weight.”
The commissioner stated that the other option was “a trade war with sky-high tariffs that would harm everyone.”
