EU seeks US tariff exemptions on wine, cheese

The EU has asked the United States for tariff exemptions on more products, a spokesman said on Wednesday, including cheese and wine.

Brussels and Washington struck a tariff deal last year that set levies of 15 percent on most EU exports to the United States, and zero tariffs for US industrial goods coming into the 27-nation bloc.

The European Union implemented the pact in July after months of delay fueled by U.S. President Trump's threats to Greenland and a US Supreme Court decision.

Now the EU said it wanted more exemptions from the 15 percent tariff rate on its exports, confirming a report by European news outlet Euractiv.

"We have shared with the United States a broad list of EU export products, where we believe tariff reductions are possible, and we are engaging with the U.S. on that list," EU trade spokesman Olof Gill said.

The list includes wine, spirits and beer as well as cheeses like Roquefort and Pecorino, olive oil and olives, and medical devices and equipment.

The list covers exports worth around 115 billion euros ($131 billion). The EU exported 554 billion euros worth of goods to the United States last year.

"We really want to look at as many areas as possible where we can reduce or eliminate tariffs for the benefit of both sides, for the benefit of exporters, for the benefit of consumers," Gill said.