Orange juice in 'trade war' firing line

EU threatens to raise tariffs on peanut butter, orange juice and bourbon whiskey if US carries out threat on steel and aluminium imports

Published Modified

The price of peanut butter and orange juice from the US could soon jump at supermarkets across France, after the EU's trade commissioner announced they were among products the EU is thinking of targeting if the US carries out its threat to raise tariffs on steel and aluminium.

Bourbon whiskey and cranberries are also mentioned as being on what commissioner Cecilia Malmström described as a "tentative list" under discussion, along with "steel, industrial and agricultural products".

Ms Malmström said the list would "soon be made public", but added no final decision will be made until US President Donald Trump confirms whether the US will impose its threatened tariffs.

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker had earlier mentioned the possibility of, "countermeasures concerning import duties on American products, including Harley-Davidsons, bourbon and Levi's jeans".

Mr Trump announced plans last week to impose a 25% tariff on steel and 10% on aluminium, without giving more details on the countries concerned.

On Tuesday, he accused the European Union of "not treating the United States well" in trade matters.

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