The EU's first response includes, among other things, the introduction of tariffs on spirits and motorcycles from the USA. But there will also be a second round of countermeasures in mid-April.
We deeply regret these measures, says EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about the US tariffs – which came into force during the night to Wednesday.
The EU Commission condemns the US's 25-percent tariffs on steel and aluminum as "unfair trade restrictions".
The trade relations between Europe and the USA are the world's largest. They have brought prosperity and security to millions of people, says von der Leyen at a press conference.
Bourbon and Motorcycles
But now, the EU sees no other way than to respond to the USA in the same coin.
Since the USA introduces tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we respond with measures worth 26 billion euros – thus equivalent economic scope, says von der Leyen.
The first round of countermeasures from the EU, worth 8 of the 26 billion, will be introduced between April 1 and 13. It involves the EU re-imposing the retaliatory tariffs that were introduced in 2018 and 2020, when the then Trump administration also introduced tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Ready to Negotiate
For the first time, these countermeasures will come into full effect, according to the EU Commission, which simultaneously emphasizes that it is "always open to negotiations".
Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic describes it as speaking to deaf ears during his latest talks with the Trump administration.
I argued for avoiding these unnecessary burdens of measures and countermeasures. But in that case, we need a partner, you need two hands that clap, says he at the press conference.
"No Winners"
Minister for Trade and EU Affairs Benjamin Dousa (M) calls the Commission's initial response "well-balanced and proportionate", but promises to work to ensure that future EU measures do not affect, for example, the import of input goods to the Swedish engineering industry.
Tariffs have no winners. This is something that will be inflationary, primarily on the other side of the Atlantic and will harm all parties involved, says Dousa on his way to a ministerial meeting in Brussels.
The EU is responding primarily to the US tariffs by re-imposing tariffs that have been dormant since earlier. This includes goods such as motorcycles, boats, orange juice, and bourbon, worth 8 billion euros.
Then, a second package worth 18 billion euros will be prepared within two weeks after discussion with the EU member states.
Among the proposals being considered are EU tariffs on American exports of steel, aluminum, textiles, household appliances, tools, plastics, wood products. It may also include EU tariffs on food products, such as meat, nuts, eggs, dairy products, sugar, and vegetables from the USA.
The goal is for the second round of countermeasures from the EU to be introduced later this spring.
