Italian Foreign Minister Mentions Retaliatory Tariffs Against US While Emphasizing Negotiations

[Financial News]  The European Union (EU) has prepared a list of US imports to impose tariffs on in case of a breakdown in trade negotiations with the United States, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced.
Tajani said in an interview with the Italian daily 'Il Messaggero' on the 14th (local time) that they are already prepared to impose tariffs on 21 billion euros (about 34 trillion won) worth of US goods.
On the 12th, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from the EU starting from the 1st of next month, along with Mexico, stating that a comprehensive agreement through negotiations between the US and the EU was not reached.
However, the EU has postponed the imposition of retaliatory tariffs to push for a trade agreement with the US by the 1st of next month.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also emphasized during a press conference in Brussels, Belgium, that they are prepared for retaliation but prefer a resolution through negotiations.
Tajani also expressed confidence in progress through negotiations, stating that further retaliation would follow the 21 billion euros if negotiations fail.
He stated that 'zero tariffs' and market opening should be the goal between the three North American countries, including the US, and Europe.

jjyoon@fnnews.com Yoon Jae-jun Reporter