The adoption of this trade policy measure is a consequence, on the one hand, of the resolution of the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organization in the dispute filed by the EU against the subsidies granted by the US government to the large civil aircraft manufacturing sector, within the framework of the GATT Agreements and, on the other hand, is a response to the customs duties imposed by the US over products originated from the EU (under ad valorem form, in the range of 10% to 25%) since October of last year.
Through the adoption of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1646 of November 7, 2020, the EU has decided to impose, new or higher customs duties (ranging from 15 % to 25%) to products originated from the US (which are exported as from this date, from that territory, to the EU).
Among the products originated from the US affected by this trade policy are, mainly, the following: oils, cotton, airplanes and aircrafts, bags and suitcases, cocoa, coffee, cosmetics, nuts and dried fruits, fruit juices, machinery, video game machines, vehicle parts and accessories, fish, peptones, proteins, cheeses, rum, sauces, tobacco, tractors, vermouth and vodka.
Regulation 2020/1646 does not contemplate express expiration date on the application of these measures. However, the EU does express its willingness to suspend these measures as long as reciprocal treatment by the US is restored to goods originated from the EU.
Annexes I and II of Regulation 2020/1646 identify the HS codes of the EU Combined Nomenclature affected by the additional customs duties.
From Salinas & Partners we recommend taking these measures into account and the impact they may have on the international value chain in the supply of goods destined for the European Union.
