EU to launch counter-tariffs against US on Friday

The European Union will launch a raft of retaliatory tariffs against US exports on Friday, a top official has said. 

The move comes after US President Donald Trump imposed steep duties on steel and aluminium earlier this month.

American exports such as blue jeans, motorbikes and bourbon whiskey will be targeted, trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom confirmed.

However, she said the bloc "did not want to be in this position".

"The unilateral and unjustified decision of the US to impose steel and aluminium tariffs on the EU means that we are left with no other choice," she said.

Read more: EU to launch counter-tariffs against US on Friday - BBC News