On Wednesday 13 June, the European Commission expressed strong criticism of the US decision to establish anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on imports of Spanish olives.
"The decision by the US Department of Commerce to impose unreasonably high and prohibitive anti-subsidy and anti-dumping duties on Spanish olives is simply unacceptable", a Commission spokesperson commented.
In a decision announced on Tuesday, the US Department of Commerce states that Spanish olives are sold on the US market between 16.88% and 25.5% less than their real value, and it concludes that Spain subsidises its olive producers at a rate of between 7.52% to 27.02%.
The final decision is nevertheless to be taken by the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which will rule on 24 July.
"This is a protectionist measure targeting a high quality and successful EU product popular with US consumers", the European Commission stated, saying it "will consider its further action in light of that (ITC) decision".
The preliminary US customs duties have "a significant social and economic impact on Spanish producers, particularly in Andalucia", the European Commission stated.
In 2017, US imports of Spanish olives stood at $67.6 million.
In a resolution on 15 March, the European Parliament asked the US to reverse its decision to impose anti-dumping taxes on Spanish olives (see EUROPE 11958).
European Commissioners Phil Hogan (Agriculture) and Cecilia Malmström (Trade) have repeatedly spoken out against Washington's attack on EU subsidies classified in the WTO's green box and thus against the CAP. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)