EU wine, spirits to face 15% U.S. tariff from Aug 1- EU official

BRUSSELS, July 31 (Reuters) - European wine and spirits will face a 15% tariff when entering the United States from Aug 1, until negotiators from both sides agree a different deal, in talks that are expected to continue in autumn, EU officials and diplomats said on Thursday.

The U.S. tariff on European wine and spirits is now 10%. The European Union is keen to reduce that to zero, or, for wine, at least to the Most Favoured Nation rates that are set on a fixed cost per litre basis, rather than in percentage terms.

Asked what tariff EU wine and spirits producers will face from August 1, unless a different deal is agreed, an EU official close to the negotiations said:

"15%"

A senior diplomat close to the talks told Reuters talks on wine tariffs would continue after the EU and US finalise their joint statement on the framework trade deal that was agreed last Sunday between U.S. president Donald Trump and EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen.

"(This will take place) probably in the autumn. My understanding is that they would go at the flat 15% rate. Less clear on spirits where I know there is an old agreement that should be still in force for zero or MFN tariffs," the diplomat said.