Spanish black olive exporters urge EU to hit back on US tariffs

MADRID, Nov 3 (Reuters): Spanish black olive exporters have called on the EU to hit back at steep tariffs imposed under US President Donald Trump, using powers authorised last week by the World Trade Organization.
On Wednesday, a WTO arbitrator issued a decision that allowed the EU to take countermeasures worth up to $13.64 million a year in the long-running dispute over ripe olives.
It also opened the way for the EU to get WTO clearance to retaliate further if Washington imposes countervailing duties in the future.
The Spanish Association of Table Olive Exporters said on Thursday the WTO decision showed "firm support of Spain's complaints".
It "expects that the European Commission will not hesitate to apply the retaliatory measures authorised by the WTO if the United States does not voluntarily comply with the ruling," the association said in an emailed statement.
The United States, which has recently threatened Spain with more tariffs over its reluctance to increase NATO spending, said on Saturday it had no intention of lifting the sanctions which were meant to protect its growers.