EU Commissioner for consultations with Washington

European Commissioner Cecilia Malmström (Trade) travels to Washington Tuesday for crisis talks about the upcoming US steel tax.

Like Canada and Mexico, the European Union wants exemption from import duties of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, which will go into effect later this week. If it is not possible to find a solution to the trade dispute with the US, countermeasures seem inevitable.

'My message will be that the EU as a whole must be excluded from charges,' Malmström said. 'There are constant contacts. The US government has not yet taken a decision. ''

Brussels could decide to introduce taxes on products such as Harley Davidson engines, jeans and bourbon. The daily EU board published Friday a list of other products where a tax may come up and asked the European business community to provide input at the same time.