US Proposes Tariffs on EU Imports, Mostly Food

The U.S. proposed tariffs on goods from the European Union, totaling $4 billion, according to a recent article by Supply Chain Dive. Many of the items on the list are food-related—cheese, olives, meats, pasta and whiskey—but some metals and chemicals made the list as well.

Most of the controversy surrounding these tariffs stems from a dispute over aircraft subsidies. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will hold a hearing Aug. 5 on the list to discuss the implementation of these tariffs, which is still subject to change, pending the "decision of an arbitrator investigating the claims of harmful EU aircraft subsidies," the Supply Chain Dive article says.

These tariffs are under less time restrictions and hearings than the Chinese tariffs. The tariffs on EU goods can be implemented any time after the arbitrator makes a decision, which can happen before the public commenting period. Chinese tariffs cannot be imposed until after a seven-day rebuttal comment period after the last day of public comment.

—Christie Citranglo, editorial associate