Brussels: The European Union has announced a set of retaliatory tariffs on a range of US products, responding to Washington’s recent decision to impose steep duties on steel, aluminum, and related goods. The EU's countermeasures, which will be introduced in two phases, aim to match the economic impact of the US tariffs, estimated at €26 billion.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the US move, warning that tariffs would harm businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. “We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs disrupt supply chains, create economic uncertainty, and threaten jobs,” she said.
The dispute escalated after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month, enforcing a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from the EU. The European bloc, particularly Germany, is a key exporter of these materials to the US and had previously warned of retaliatory action.
The EU’s response will unfold in two stages. On April 1, it will reinstate duties from previous rounds of trade disputes in 2018 and 2020, affecting goods worth approximately €8 billion. By mid-April, the EU will introduce a fresh set of countermeasures, targeting US exports valued at up to €18 billion. These will cover industrial products such as steel, aluminum, textiles, leather, home appliances, and wood, alongside agricultural goods like poultry, beef, seafood, dairy, and vegetables.
A two-week consultation period, running until March 26, will allow stakeholders to provide feedback before the measures are finalized. Once approved by EU member states, the new tariffs are expected to take effect by mid-April.
Despite the strong response, Brussels remains open to negotiation. Von der Leyen has instructed EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to seek a diplomatic solution with Washington. “At a time of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, adding further trade barriers is not in our shared interest,” she stated.
The latest measures mark another chapter in the ongoing transatlantic trade dispute, which dates back to 2018 when the Trump administration first imposed duties on European steel and aluminum. While earlier negotiations had led to a temporary suspension of tariffs, Washington’s new restrictions have reignited tensions and prompted the EU to act.
