The European Commission remains determined to secure the maximum number of exclusions from U.S. tariffs “including for traditional products like wines and spirits,” stated EU spokesperson Olof Gill during a press briefing. However, he added, “we do not expect wines and spirits to be included in the first group of exemptions the United States is set to announce tomorrow. Consequently, this sector, like all other economic sectors, will be subject to the 15% tariff.”
Gill confirmed the EU expects the U.S. to implement Sunday’s agreement between Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump tomorrow, based on a 15% tariff. Washington must act by August 1st on these tariffs; failure to do so could trigger the 30% duty threatened by Trump weeks ago.
“EU and U.S. negotiators are working” to finalize a “joint statement” on the preliminary tariff understanding reached by von der Leyen and Trump, Gill noted. This statement “is not legally binding: it is a political commitment, a roadmap,” he explained, after which negotiations for “further exemptions” will begin.
The joint text under discussion with the U.S. does not include provisions exempting American Big Tech from the digital tax. Similarly, the quota system for EU-U.S. steel and aluminum trade is not expected to form part of the joint statement. “We are working to have something ready and workable as soon as possible,” Gill concluded.
Separately, former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted on his Truth Social platform: “If our Country wasn’t able to use Tariffs as a protection against others using Tariffs against us, we would be dead, with no chance of survival or success.”