The European Union has announced plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on US goods valued at €26 billion, following the US administration’s recent implementation of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the US tariffs as “unjustified,” warning that they would severely disrupt global supply chains and harm both businesses and consumers.
“These tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers,” von der Leyen said. She emphasized that the measures would increase prices and threaten jobs on both sides of the Atlantic, adding that the EU would not tolerate such trade disruptions.
Also Read: Trump Halts Mexico Tariffs Temporarily, Canada Prepares for Trade Disputes
In response, the European Commission will reinstate countermeasures previously suspended in 2018 and 2020, effective April 1. The initial round of tariffs will target a variety of US products, including steel, aluminium, home appliances, and agricultural goods like poultry and beef. A second phase of tariffs is expected by mid-April, aiming to meet the €26 billion target.
While EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic indicated that Europe remains open to negotiations, he reiterated that the bloc would not stand by while “unjustified tariffs” are imposed. “We should be making this great relationship stronger, not weaker,” Sefcovic added.
The escalating trade conflict has raised concerns about higher costs for consumers in both the US and Europe. The EU’s countermeasures, targeting key US exports like motorbikes, steel, and bourbon, could significantly impact the US economy if no resolution is reached.
