04/06/2026 (Agence Europe) – On the sidelines of an OECD ministerial meeting on Thursday 4 June, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer took the view that the new US customs duties remained compatible with the trade agreement concluded with the EU. On Tuesday, Washington proposed a surcharge targeting countries that do not ban the import of products made using forced labour (see EUROPE 13880/11). “A significant proportion of EU exports [...] will now be subject to a flat-rate customs duty of 15%, compared with over 25% previously. This is a significant step forward and I will continue to work towards further tariff reductions”, said the European Commissioner for Trade, Maroš Šefčovič, after an exchange with his US counterpart. He also indicated that discussions on lifting customs duties on steel derivatives were beginning to bear fruit. (JV)