The European Union's executive branch, the European Commission, has hit back at what it calls "unjustified" threats of yet more tariffs from the United States, just as it closes in on implementing the much-disputed trade agreement reached last summer between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump.
On June 16, EU lawmakers are expected to vote on the deal, which critics say is unduly weighted toward the US and will impose a 15 percent levy on EU goods, while the EU removes tariffs on US products.
However, less than two weeks before the vote, the EU has been named as one of 60 economies, including the United Kingdom, China, India and Canada, which could face additional new tariffs of up to 12.5 percent, with Washington's justification being that the countries and trade blocs named have failed to curb trade in goods made with forced labor, which is harmful to US commercial interests.
Those facing an additional 10 percent tariff include Canada, Mexico, the EU, the UK and Pakistan. Other countries, including China, India, Japan and Australia, could face 12.5 percent.
'Unacceptable' action
