the americans expect concessions saying they've been unfairly treated when it comes to trade with the e.u. the munich based institute for economic research study the tariffs on five thousand products to compare the e.u. and u.s. tax each other the results there are considerably higher barriers for u.s. products entering the e.u. than vice versa on average europeans charge a five point two percent levy as opposed to just three point five by the americans u.s. beef is especially hard hit it's taxed at sixty eight percent meanwhile the u.s. charges the forty nine percent levy on european tobacco products and twenty two percent on trucks. experts suggest lowering import duties on both sides while that would reduce european customs revenue it would certainly be cheaper than starting a trade war. in the air or to think that you can fight protectionism with protectionist policies it's like trying to tackle stupidity with