EU prepares 100 billion euro "no deal" plan to deal with 30% US tariffs

PANews reported on July 23 that according to foreign media, if negotiations break down and US President Trump follows through on his threat to impose a 30% tariff on most EU exports after August 1, the EU plans to quickly impose a 30% tariff on US products worth approximately 100 billion euros (about 117 billion US dollars). An EU Commission spokesperson stated on Wednesday that as part of the first wave of countermeasures, the EU will merge the already approved tariff list for 21 billion euros of US goods with the previously proposed tariff list for an additional 72 billion euros of US products into a comprehensive plan. According to informed sources, US export products, including Boeing aircraft, American-made cars, and bourbon whiskey, will face tariffs matching Trump's 30% threat. These sources stated that the tariffs will be prepared to take effect next month, provided that negotiations break down and the US implements its taxation measures after the August deadline. An unnamed government official said that in the absence of an agreement, Berlin would even be willing to support the launch of the EU's "Anti-Coercion Instrument" (ACI), which would only be activated if no agreement can be reached.