The European Union (EU) is intensifying negotiations with the United States in pursuit of a resolution to an ongoing trade dispute, while simultaneously preparing a set of potential countermeasures in the event that talks fail, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
"The EU's primary focus is on achieving a negotiated outcome with the United States. Intensive technical and political-level contact is ongoing," said Olof Gill, spokesperson for the European Commission on trade.
While diplomacy remains the bloc's priority, the EU is laying the groundwork for alternative outcomes, including the implementation of additional retaliatory measures, according to the spokesperson. As part of these preparations, the bloc plans to consolidate two existing countermeasure lists into a single, streamlined package.
"To make our countermeasures clearer, simpler, and stronger, we will merge Lists 1 and 2 into a single list and submit this to Member States for approval," the spokesperson explained.
The consolidated list will combine already approved tariffs on 21 billion euros (24.6 billion U.S. dollars) worth of U.S. goods with a proposed list covering an additional 72 billion euros in American exports. The combined measures, however, will not take effect until Aug 7, the statement said.
The list covers U.S. goods including Boeing aircraft, automobiles and Bourbon whiskey.
Germany, the bloc's biggest economy, has said it will support the use of anti-coercion tools to counter the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced early this month that 30 percent tariffs will be imposed on EU as of Aug 1.
EU prepares unified retaliatory tariff list, though seeking deal with US: spokesperson
EU prepares unified retaliatory tariff list, though seeking deal with US: spokesperson
EU prepares unified retaliatory tariff list, though seeking deal with US: spokesperson
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
