The European Union (EU) is close to the final joint statement with the USA On the Framework Agreement on duties, according to Reuters sources.
The information comes from a senior EU official with the knowledge of talks with the US, although he makes it clear that there can be no exact date for the publication of the agreement.
“It is almost ready and now we are waiting for our American colleagues to return and confirm the latest evidence,” he said.
Another official told Reuters that the EU is still awaiting some upheavals in trade relations with the US.
“However, we have a clear insurance policy: the single duty 15%. If the US government does not comply with this policy, we have the means to react, “the official said.
The same sources have made it clear that the 15% US duty on EU products is overall.
This means that it includes the coefficient of the most favored state, as opposed to some other countries that have entered into agreements with the US.
The 15% rate applies to all products except steel and aluminum, the official said.
Duties on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors are now zero, but if and when they grow up as a result of the US 232 investigations, the duty will not exceed 15%, he added.
The official also said that the 15% ceiling also applies to cars and car spare parts, and that there are no quotas or limits for cars and car spare parts.