Brussels presents its proposal to lift tariffs in Washington

WashingtonBrussels' first step toward implementing the trade agreement reached with Washington on 15% tariffs for the European Union. After the United States put it in writing the terms of the trade agreementThis Thursday, the European Commission presented its proposal for the tariffs to be eliminated on imported US goods.

The proposal is based on two pillars: one to eliminate tariffs on industrial goods and provide preferential access to US seafood and certain agricultural products, and the other to extend the duty-free treatment of shrimp, including processed shrimp.

This legislative proposal must now be approved by a majority of the 27 EU members and the European Parliament. Its processing could take weeks, but the reduction in US tariffs on European cars will take effect sooner. As part of the trade agreement between Donald Trump and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on July 27, Washington agreed to reduce its tariffs on vehicles manufactured in the EU from 27.5% to 15%. In principle, this reduction was to take effect on August 1.

The preliminary agreement has turned out to be more of a framework within which both parties continue to negotiate. For example, the exception for European alcoholic beverages was not reached before the publication of the first agreement, but during the press conference announcing it, Maros Sefcovic, the EU Trade Commissioner for Europe, said that there was "a clear commitment from the European Commission to put it on the table."

Although the 15% agreement has—for the time being—froze the trade war initiated by Washington, many member countries had rebelled against the figure (it was only a five-point reduction compared to the initial 20% announced in April). Brussels has portrayed the pact as the lesser of two evils, since, otherwise, Trump had threatened to impose tariffs of up to 30% on almost all goods from Europe.