EU asks US to exempt more exports from tariffs

The European Union has asked the United States to exempt more EU exports from tariffs, including wine, spirits, beer, cheese, olive oil, olives and medical devices, an EU spokesman said.

EU trade spokesman Olof Gill said Brussels had shared a broad list of export products with the United States where it believes tariff reductions are possible and was discussing the list with Washington. The products include cheeses such as Roquefort and Pecorino, as well as medical devices and equipment.

The list covers exports worth about 115 billion euros, or $131 billion. The EU exported 554 billion euros worth of goods to the United States last year.

Brussels and Washington reached a tariff deal last year that set tariffs of 15 percent on most EU exports to the United States and zero tariffs on US industrial goods entering the 27-country bloc. The EU implemented the pact in July after months of delay linked to US President Trump's threats to Greenland and a US Supreme Court decision.

Gill said the EU wanted to examine as many areas as possible where tariffs could be reduced or removed for the benefit of both exporters and consumers.