In October, the United States imposed tariffs on a number of strategic agricultural products in the European Union as a result of a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling in the framework of the Airbus-Boeing dispute.This week, the United States raised the possibility of using a WTO report related to EU state support to Airbus as a basis for increasing retaliatory tariffs on an even wider range of European goods.

The United States has also threatened France with a Section 301 investigation into its digital service tax, which could lead to 100 % tariffs on up to USD 2.4 billion’s worth of French products.

In light of the above:

• What actions is the Commission taking to counter the potential expansion of punitive United States tariffs linked to the Airbus dispute?
• How does the Commission propose to deal with the possible Section 301 investigation into the French digital service tax, taking into account the fact that similar taxes are being considered in Austria and Italy?

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Answer given by Mr Hogan on behalf of the European Commission here