Reciprocal US-EU food war: Agricultural chemicals in the crosshairs as tariffs begin rolling out

The European Union is looking to halt imports of certain produce grown using pesticides currently banned from use here, the FT reports.

Such a ban would help prevent imported goods from undercutting EU farmers.

…

The plan, which has been compared to US President Donald Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ trade policy, is mentioned in the EU’s leaked Vision for the Future of Agriculture document.

Historically, the Commission has opposed calls from Member States, such as France, to impose ‘reciprocal’ trade policies, arguing it could breach rules set out by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Restrictions are only allowed on scientific grounds.

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John Clarke, former director of international relations at the EU Commission, says on his newsletter that these “mirror clauses” are prohibited under the rules of the WTO as they can potentially lead to protectionism.

He points out that different pesticides are needed in different locations, as for example tropical locations have different pests to European ones.

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here