EU to Impose Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Following Trump's Trade Measures

International International News

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-03-12 08:37:30 |

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 54

---

The European Union has announced retaliatory tariffs in response to the Trump administration’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports. These countermeasures, set to take effect on April 1, are aimed at industrial and agricultural products, mirroring the U.S. tariffs, which amount to $28 billion. According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EU's response will be equivalent in value, amounting to 26 billion euros (approximately $28 billion), demonstrating the bloc’s determination to protect its economic interests.  

The European Commission, responsible for managing trade policies on behalf of the EU’s 27 member states, emphasized that while the EU remains open to negotiations, such tariffs are harmful in an already uncertain geopolitical and economic climate. Von der Leyen stressed that these trade barriers will negatively impact both economies, leading to higher prices for consumers in Europe and the United States. She reiterated the EU’s stance that tariffs disrupt global supply chains, create economic instability, and threaten jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.  

The EU’s retaliatory tariffs will target not only steel and aluminum products but also a range of other goods, including textiles, leather goods, home appliances, plastics, and wood. Additionally, agricultural products such as poultry, beef, seafood, nuts, eggs, sugar, and vegetables will also be affected. The European steel industry, in particular, is expected to suffer significant losses, with industry representatives warning of a worsening crisis. Henrik Adam, president of the European Steel Association (Eurofer), expressed concerns last month that these tariffs would severely damage the EU steel sector. He estimated that the EU could lose up to 3.7 million tons of steel exports due to the U.S. tariffs. The United States is the EU’s second-largest export market for steel, accounting for 16% of total EU steel exports, and finding alternative markets to absorb this loss will be challenging. While former U.S. President Donald Trump defended the tariffs as a means to protect American manufacturing jobs, European officials argue that such protectionist measures ultimately harm businesses and consumers by increasing costs and limiting trade opportunities. The EU’s response signals its commitment to defending its economic interests while leaving room for future negotiations in hopes of de-escalating trade tensions.

Go!