ECONOMY: USA VS. EU

Independent: Europe Plans Huge Trade War With US

BRUSSELS -- American jeans, Florida orange juice and dozens of other US products could double in price from next month because of a growing transatlantic trade war.

The World Trade Organisation gave the European Union permission yesterday to impose huge import tariffs, which will allow price increases of between 8 and 100 per cent on a range of goods.

The row, which began when America imposed special duties of up to 30 per cent on European steel last year, reached a climax yesterday when the trade watchdog gave a final decision in favour of the EU. It said the US action was "inconsistent" with free trade commitments. Europe can now impose duties on products ranging from T-shirts and lavatory paper, to bras, pantyhose, suspenders, ballpoint pens, ski suits and bowling alley equipment. Harley Davidson motorcycles were included in an early draft of the sanctions list, but were not included yesterday.

"Die USA und die EU moegen die Freie Marktwirtschaft solange sie 3. Welt Laendern aurauben koennen. Wenn es dann um ihre eigenen Maerkte geht, ist die Sache ploetzlich eine ganz Andere"