Europe threatens tariffs on US bourbon, peanut butter and orange juice

The European Commission has drawn up a list of U.S. products that could be subject to tariffs in response to President Trump’s planned taxes on imports.

The Guardian reported Wednesday that the list includes certain types of bourbon, peanut butter, cranberries and orange juice. Cecilia Malmström, who serves as the European Commissioner for Trade, said the European countries must respond in a proportionate way to Trump’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum.

“We cannot just stay silent when such a major measure could be taken to the [European Union] EU economy,” she said, adding that there are “only losers” in trade wars.

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Trump last week announced a plan to impose 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent tariffs on aluminum imports.

The move has drawn criticism from U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, as well as international officials, who expressed concerns it will start a trade war and ultimately hurt American workers.

During a joint press conference on Tuesday with the prime minister of Sweden, Trump singled out the European Union and vowed to hold his position on the tariffs despite pushback.

“The European Union has been particularly tough on the United States; they make it almost impossible for us to do business with them,” the president said.

“When we’re behind on every single country, trade wars aren’t so bad,” the president said, adding that he will impose the tariffs in a “loving way.”

The European Commission previously eyed Levi-Strauss blue jeans, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and bourbon whiskey as part of tariffs that target $3.5 billion worth of American goods.

Trump previously tweeted that trade wars are “good and easy to win,” a claim he doubled down on during Tuesday’s press conference.