Donald Trump’s administration has pleaded with European countries to supply the US with eggs, as American consumers face soaring costs for the food item back home. The request from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) comes after Trump slapped tariffs on EU imports of steel and aluminium and threatened to charge 200% levies on European alcoholic drinks.
The US President vowed to slash egg prices on his first day in office but instead has seen costs explode. Wholesale prices increased by an eye-watering 59% on a year-on-year basis in February, leaving hard-pressed American consumers deeply disgruntled.
An outbreak of bird flu has partly been to blame for the hike in prices that are hitting shoppers hard in the pocket.
A letter from the USDA in Europe was sent to EU egg producers in February seeking information on availability and willingness to export to the US, according to Reuters.
In a follow up letter this month to the Danish Egg Association, the USDA wrote: “We’re still waiting to get more guidance from Washington on next steps, but do you have an estimate of the number of eggs that could be supplied to the United States (assuming they meet all the import requirements).
“Washington is trying to get an estimate of the amount they could feasibly source.”
The Danish Egg Association said it would look into the matter but warned there were no surplus supplies of eggs in Europe.
They pointed out there was a shortage of eggs around the world due to the impact of bird flu and an increase in consumption.
A spokesperson for the association said there were significant difficulties in exporting to the US due to regulations governing hygiene, as well as other factors.
Last month, the US agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, announced a plan to seek imported eggs as part of a $1 billion effort to combat bird flu.
Turkey said in February it had started exporting about 15,000 tonnes of eggs to the US.
Trump stoked tensions with Brussels on Thursday after threatening to target imports of European alcohol with 200% tariffs.
The threat was a response to EU’s plans for a 50% tax on imports of US-produced whiskey, which Trump called “nasty”
The new EU tax was a retaliation for Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports to the US – including from European countries.