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.