The European Union has officially approved its first wave of retaliatory tariffs against the United States, joining China and Canada in pushing back against President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war. The decision, finalized on April 9, comes as Trump’s sweeping new tariffs—some as high as 104%—on dozens of countries, including EU members, came into force.
In a move aimed at countering the U.S. duties on steel, aluminum, cars, and a wide range of other goods, the 27-member EU bloc agreed to impose tariffs—mostly set at 25%—on various American imports starting next Tuesday. The measures primarily target the U.S. metals tariffs, with the EU still weighing its response to broader levies on other goods, including automobiles.
The U.S. tariffs apply a 25% duty on EU steel and aluminum, as well as a 20% blanket tariff on most other imports under Trump’s “reciprocal trade” policy, which targets countries he accuses of maintaining high barriers to U.S. goods.
In response, the EU’s tariffs will be rolled out in phases—starting April 15, followed by May 16, and a final stage on December 1, which will include almonds and soybeans. Affected American exports include maize, wheat, rice, motorcycles, poultry, fruit, wood, clothing, and even dental floss. These imports totaled roughly €21 billion ($23 billion) last year, slightly below the €26 billion worth of EU metals hit by U.S. duties.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the U.S. tariffs as “unjustified” and pledged a firm response. “These actions will not go unanswered,” she said, warning of tough countermeasures if a fair agreement isn’t reached.
“These countermeasures can be suspended at any time, should the U.S. agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome,” the European Commission clarified in a statement.
The EU’s decision followed a vote by trade representatives from all 27 member states. Only Hungary opposed the move, while the remaining 26 countries backed the Commission’s proposal. Diplomats noted that the final list of targeted goods had already been adjusted after weeks of consultations among EU nations.
Meanwhile, the global trade conflict continues to intensify. Following China’s retaliatory tariffs last week, President Trump nearly doubled existing U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. Beijing hit back, announcing its own 84% tariffs on a range of U.S. products, effective Thursday.
