EU Tariff Update – US Trade Office Releases Preliminary List of Products and Origins, Public Comment Period to Open 6/26/2020

Negotiations between the US and EU over aircraft subsidies have not produced an agreement to date so the scheduled review period has started again for the US section 301 tariffs on imports of European wine and spirit products.  The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a preliminary tariff list yesterday June 23^rd, 2020.

In addition to the existing 25% tariffs on certain EU wines and spirits, the tariff list maintains the potential scope of products “under consideration for additional import duties” for all types of wines, spirits, liqueur and cordials from all European Union countries. 

The notice advises that the comment period will begin Friday June 26^th 2020 using the new electronic portal (as advised in May) and the USTR will be seeking comments on the following:   

• Whether products listed in Annex I of the Notice should be removed from or remain on the list of goods subject to Section 301 duties;
• Whether Section 301 duties on specific products should be increased, up to a level of 100 percent;
• Whether additional duties should be imposed on specific products listed in Annex II or Annex III of the Notice; and
• The rate of additional duty (up to 100 percent) to be applied to any products drawn from Annex II or Annex III of the Notice.

The comment period is expected to close around July 26^th, 2020 (to be confirmed) with a USTR review decision anticipated around August 12^th, 2020.  We will continue to monitor new developments in regards to the EU tariffs and how it may impact products you import.