By Wale Azeez, business reporter

The European Commission has published a list of $20bn (£15bn) worth of US imports it could hit with tariffs, in an aircraft subsidy dispute that has dragged on for nearly 15 years.

The European Union's competition watchdog released the 11-page list of US imports it could target on Wednesday, which include agricultural produce from dried fruit to ketchup, fish, tobacco, handbags and suitcases

The commission also singled out hardware such as tractors, shovels, helicopters, planes as well as video game consoles.

The published list will now be open to consultation until 31 May and could then be revised.

The move by Brussels was in response to proposals last week by the Trump administration which targeted a seven-page list of EU products for tariffs, ranging from large aircraft to dairy products and wine.

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The US said the proposed tariffs would counteract harm done by EU subsidies for Airbus worth an estimated $11bn.

America and European Union have been battling at the World Trade Organisation over the subsidies given to US plane maker Boeing and its European rival Airbus, since October 2004.

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Image: The EU has published a list of American imports including handbags that could face tariffs

Following partial victories on both sides, the countries are seeking WTO arbitration to determine the level of countermeasures each can impose on the other.

"The EU remains open for discussions with the US, provided these are without preconditions and aim at a fair outcome," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said in a statement.

In both cases, WTO arbitrators have yet to set an amount, but the US case against Airbus is further along and could see a possible rRead More – Source

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