The European Union will implement counter tariffs on U.S. goods valued at 26 billion euros ($28 billion) starting next month. This decision, announced by the European Commission, is a response to the United States’ blanket tariffs on steel and aluminum, which have intensified an ongoing global trade dispute. The EU has expressed that while it is taking these countermeasures, it remains open to negotiations, emphasizing that increased tariffs benefit no one. Effective Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump enforced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, following the expiration of previous exemptions and product exclusions.
The European Commission indicated that it will lift its current suspension on tariffs for U.S. products by April 1, with full implementation of the new tariffs expected by April 13. Ursula von der Leyen, chief of the European Commission, stated, “The counter measures we take today are strong but proportionate,” highlighting that the EU’s response reflects the scale of the U.S. tariffs on EU goods. The suspended tariffs target a wide range of products, including boats, bourbon, and motorbikes. The EU will begin a two-week consultation period to determine additional product categories that will be included in the new measures.
The aim of these counter tariffs is to align the total value of EU measures with the trade value affected by the U.S. tariffs. Von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s commitment to dialogue, stressing the importance of collaboration in the face of global economic and political uncertainties. The proposed target product categories for the tariffs include industrial items, agricultural products, and various food items.