Brussels, July 23 (LaPresse) – The EU and the United States are approaching a trade agreement that would impose 15% tariffs on European imports, similar to the deal signed this week by Donald Trump with Japan. This was confirmed by the Financial Times, citing three sources familiar with the matter. "The deal with Japan clarified the terms of the squeeze," said an EU diplomat. "Most member states are holding their noses and might accept this agreement." Both parties would waive tariffs on some products, including airplanes, alcohol, and medical devices, the sources said, according to whom the minimum 15% tariff would also include existing tariffs. Therefore, Brussels considers an agreement on these terms as a consolidation of the status quo. Tariffs on cars, currently at 27.5%, would therefore drop to 15%. Two of the sources said the deal reached between the US and Japan pushed Brussels to accept, albeit reluctantly, a higher reciprocal tariff rate to avoid a damaging trade war. The British newspaper confirms that the states would also be ready to use the anti-circumvention instrument (ACI), the so-called trade bazooka. A US official said the situation is unstable and subject to change.
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