PARIS, Oct 3 — France and the European Union (EU) are ready to respond "with sanctions” if the United States were to reject the hand extended by Europe in the Airbus trade dispute, said French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said today.

"If the American administration rejects the hand that has been held out by France and the European Union, we are preparing ourselves to react with sanctions,” said Le Maire.

The United States yesterday said it would slap 10 per cent tariffs on European-made Airbus planes and 25 per cent duties on French wine, Scotch and Irish whiskies, and cheese from across the continent as punishment for illegal EU aircraft subsidies. — Reuters