BRUSSELS: The European Union on Friday began enforcing tariffs on $3.4 billion in US products in retaliation against duties the Trump administration has put on European steel and aluminium.
The goods targeted include typical American products such as bourbon, peanut butter and orange juice, as well as iconic Harley Davidson motorbikes, in a way that seems designed to create political pressure on US President Donald Trump and senior US politicians.
"This response by the European Union is adequate, it is proportionate and it is reasonable. Needless to say, it is in full respect of EU and (World Trade Organization) rules," said European Commission spokesman Alexander Winterstein.
Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on EU steel and 10% on aluminium on June 1. Europeans claim that breaks global trade rules.
The spat is part of a wider tussle over global trade. In two weeks, the United States will start taxing $34 billion worth of Chinese goods. Beijing has vowed to immediately retaliate with its own tariffs on US soybeans and other farm products.
Trump has since upped the ante, threatening another $200 billion in Chinese products, with Beijing saying it will respond further if necessary.