By James A. Morrissey, Washington CorrespondentThe European Union has announced plans to levy
punitive tariffs on $2.2 billion worth of U.S. imports in response to the recently announced
increased tariffs on steel imports into the U.S. The retaliatory hit list includes a number of
textile and apparel products including woven fabrics, cotton denim, textured polyester yarns, home
furnishings and made-up goods.The steel tariffs created a firestorm at home and abroad, as
importers said President Bush was abandoning his stance on free trade. He also was accused of
selecting the stall tariffs because of the political significance of the major steel producing
states. In response to the action, the EU has initiated a dispute settlement proceeding with the
World Trade Organization (WTO), charging it will have the right to invoke retaliatory tariffs
against U.S. products. If the EU wins its case its members could legally levy the punitive tariffs
on textiles and other products.
