The Donald Trump administration is considering tariffs on specific products from the European Union in response to the EU’s ban on American beef from hormone-treated cattle. Trump is considering imposing tariffs of 100 percent on Perrier (Perry-eh) mineral water, Vespa motor scooters and Roquefort (rockfort) cheese over the issue. The Wall Street Journal reports the beef case will offer an early demonstration of how aggressive the administration is likely to be with trading partners. In 1998, the EU lost a case at the World Trade Organization for banning American beef. In 2009, the U.S. negotiated an agreement to allow limited market access for specially produced beef that meets EU standards, but the U.S. beef industry has been prevented from gaining the intended benefits from the agreement because of increased imports under the duty-free quota from non-U.S. suppliers.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.