"Until the last hour we will continue to press the American administration to try to reach an agreement, or at least freeze tariffs for the moment," said Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner of Commerce of the European Union, after formalizing the World Trade Organization authorization to the United States to impose tariffs for 6,793 million euros per year in compensation for subsidies to Airbus. Meanwhile, Spain presses for compensation to the affected sectors.

Today's decision by the WTO was a formality, a mere process, but there are still four days left before the US begins to impose tariffs on European products. A major blow to strategic sectors, in particular spirits, cheeses and even other agricultural products, which would significantly affect Spain. Malmström works against the clock, for now without results, to try to stop them.

"They are authorized to impose these tariffs but that does not mean they have to do so," Malmström explained at a press conference. That is the same message that he has transmitted on numerous occasions to his American colleagues although, for now, without success. "The tariffs are not good for the economy, for consumers, for companies and we risk escalating an unfortunate situation," the Swedish insisted.

Meanwhile, in Luxembourg, EU Agriculture Ministers meet in Luxembourg with leftover tariffs on their heads. Commissioner Phil Hogan, who will take charge of the commercial negotiation with the new Commission, will discuss the situation with the member states. Spain requires the executive to, if confirmed the imposition of tariffs, take measures to protect the affected sectors.

Upon arrival in Luxembourg, the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Luis Planas, recalled that the US decision would be a "hard blow" for exports of olive oil, olive, wine, cheese, pigs and citrus. Although Planas insists that the Spanish agri-food sector has the capacity to move forward, it insists on the need to support the affected sectors.

"If [tariffs] were finally applied, we will have to be prepared for the measures that can be applied in terms of support and correction, in terms of promotion or in terms of markets in relation to the products concerned," said Planas. Ministers will discuss the issue, as explained by the minister, at the request of Spain, France and Italy.

The dispute between the US and the EU over subsidies to Airbus and Boeing is not new. Both administrations have been facing the issue for fifteen years. What is surprising in Brussels is the attitude of the Donald Trump government in this regard, the refusal to find negotiated solutions to an issue that could lead to a new escalation in trade tensions between the two sides. And that the EU rejects.

In the coming months, Brussels awaits a final WTO decision on Boeing and does not rule out the imposition of tariffs on American products. In April, the Commission presented a list of products that could be affected by potential tariffs, worth around 18,000 million euros. However, the EU would prefer to find an agreement to avoid an escalation.

Malmström has not clarified however if there will be contacts with the Trump administration once the tariffs enter into force - if they do - next Friday and until there is no WTO decision on the Boeing case. "It's something we have to discuss with the member states," said Malmström.

"It would be much better without us sitting together, we and the US, to see what we can do about our own subsidies in all areas," said the Commissioner, "we want to work together with the US," he insisted.

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