The European Union has announced plans to impose counter tariffs on $28 billion (26 billion euros) worth of U.S. goods starting next month, escalating a global trade dispute in response to the United States’ sweeping tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The European Commission revealed the decision on Wednesday, following the expiration of exemptions, duty-free quotas, and product exclusions under U.S. President Donald Trump’s increased tariffs of 25% on steel and aluminum, which took effect the same day.
The European Commission stated that it will lift the current suspension of tariffs on U.S. products on April 1 and introduce a new package of countermeasures by mid-April. The suspended tariffs affect a wide range of goods, including boats, bourbon, and motorcycles. The EU will now begin a two-week consultation process to identify additional product categories for targeting.
The new measures aim to address approximately 18 billion euros in U.S. goods, with the goal of ensuring that the total value of the EU’s countermeasures matches the increased value of trade affected by the U.S. tariffs. The proposed targets include industrial and agricultural products such as steel, aluminum, textiles, home appliances, plastics, poultry, beef, eggs, dairy, sugar, and vegetables.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the EU’s readiness for dialogue while outlining the timeline for the countermeasures. “Our countermeasures will be introduced in two steps, starting on April 1 and fully in place by April 13,” she said in a statement. “We are prepared to engage in meaningful discussions. I have tasked Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic with resuming talks to explore better solutions with the U.S.”
The move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing trade tensions between the EU and the U.S., as both sides seek to protect their economic interests while navigating the complexities of global trade relations.
