WASHINGTON D.C., June 8 (IslamOnline & News agencies) - The European Union (E.U.) has taken the first steps towards a possible imposition of sanctions against the United States in protest to the U.S.’ new steel tariffs. However, the gestures seem to be regarded as threats as opposed to plans for actual action.

E.U. foreign ministers were due in Luxembourg Monday to give the go-ahead to a process that could lead to retaliatory sanctions against the U.S. tariffs on steel imports that have infuriated Washington's trade partners.

The sanctions will not take effect immediately, but the E.U. executive commission will have to inform the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its intentions by June 18 at the latest, E.U. sources said, news agencies reported.

The E.U. appears for the present to be making only threatening gestures to prompt Washington into greater flexibility, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

The U.S. and its trading partners are at loggerheads over tariffs of up to 30%, which the administration of President George W. Bush introduced in March to protect ailing U.S. steel mills from foreign competition.

The E.U. and other steel-making nations in Europe, Latin America and Asia say the tariffs violate WTO rules, and are challenging them at the organization's headquarters in Geneva.

Washington is lukewarm to Brussels calls for compensation on tariffs, preferring instead to make targeted exemptions.

On Friday, it said it was exempting 61 foreign steel products from the tariffs, including European products.

The 15 E.U. foreign ministers are to vote in Luxembourg Monday on overall Commission proposals to settle the conflict, including two lists of U.S. products, which could be subject to tariffs if negotiations with Washington break down.

"It's smarter to keep sanctions ready in your pocket to see what that produces," said Anthony Gooch, spokesman of E.U. Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy.

"If we shoot now, their motivation to concede something could not only be reduced, it could disappear. On the other hand, if we maintain means of pressure, the motivation will be greater."

In addition to steel, the two E.U. lists for possible tariffs cover U.S. consumer products such as clothing and fruit juice.

The first list, amounting in value to some 380 million euros (approx 357 million U.S. $) could go into force at the beginning of August if negotiations with the U.S. are not concluded by then.

The Commission wants to give Washington until some time in July to consider its position.

If talks fail, the E.U. ministers will hold a final vote the following month to authorize Brussels to go ahead with reprisals.

Monday will be an opportunity for E.U. member-states to demonstrate unity in the face of attempts by Washington to divide them over the issue. Sources close to the current Spanish E.U. presidency indicated that consultations over the last week had produced a qualified majority required for approval of the Brussels battle plan.