Trump trade war with EU threatens to put tariffs on Cheddar, Stilton and smoked salmon exports

Trump trade war with EU threatens to put tariffs on Cheddar, Stilton and smoked salmon exports

Cheddar, Stilton and smoked salmon exports to the US could be hit with higher tariffs as Donald Trump launches a new trade war with Europe.

The US president is planning to slap extra levies on £8.4billion of exports from the European Union, in a row over subsidies to aircraft maker Airbus.

Products being targeted include British delicacies such as salmon and cheese. Duty on wine is being hiked, and olive oil and seafood will also be hit.

US president Donald Trump is planning to slap extra levies on £8.4bn of exports from the European Union, in a row over subsidies to aircraft maker Airbus

Trump announced the tariffs on Twitter following a 14-year dispute between the US and EU over state support for aerospace companies Boeing and Airbus. 

He said: ‘The WTO finds that the European Union subsidies to Airbus has adversely impacted the United States.

‘The EU has taken advantage of the US on trade for many years. It will soon stop!’

As well as food – including 40 types of cheese – non-military aircraft, ceramics and clothes also face tariffs.

The EU is expected to fight back with its own tariffs, and has already taken aim at Harley-Davidson and Levi’s.

Neil Wilson, of trading firm Markets, said: ‘There is a real risk of a tit-for-tat trade battle between the EU and US.’

But US trade representative Robert Lighthizer said he hoped for a settlement.