The European Union is gearing up to impose its first countermeasures against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, stepping into a mounting global trade conflict.
As confirmed by EU member states on Wednesday, the 27-nation bloc will begin implementing retaliatory tariffs on a selection of U.S. imports starting next week. This move aligns the EU with other major economies like China and Canada, which have also responded to Trump’s trade policies.
Trump’s trade measures impose 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, alongside a broader 20% levy on a wide range of other products, affecting countries with what Trump terms “high trade barriers” to U.S. goods. In retaliation, the European Union plans to impose 25% duties on certain American imports specifically to counteract the U.S. metals tariffs, while still considering its approach to addressing the automobile and other extensive levies.
These U.S. imports amounted to approximately €21 billion last year, which is somewhat less than the €26 billion impact on EU exports due to the U.S. tariffs on metals. The EU’s countermeasures will be phased in over several months, starting April 15, continuing May 16, and concluding with products like almonds and soybeans on December 1.
The European Commission said in a statement that this response could be suspended at any time should the U.S. agree to a balanced and fair trade agreement.
The day also marked the implementation of Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on not just the EU but also various countries, including steep 104% duties on Chinese imports, intensifying the tariff exchanges and spreading unease throughout financial markets.
