According to the press release, the measure fully complies with WTO rules, being a rebalancing corresponding to the damage caused by the US measures against EU exports worth 6.4 billion euros ($7.5 billion).
"Following today's decision to apply additional duties to selected imports from the United States, the Commission expects to conclude the relevant procedure in coordination with the Member States before the end of June so that the new duties start applying in July," the press release read.
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The European Union intends to exercise its right immediately on 2.8 billion euros ($3.3 billion) of US products, while the remaining rebalancing estimated at 3.6 billion euros ($4.2 billion) will take place in three years or following "a positive finding in WTO dispute settlement if that should come sooner," the statement noted.