The European Union approved 25% tariffs on a range of US goods including steel, aluminium, agricultural products and luxury items, according to Euronews.
The move marks EU’s first formal retaliation against US President Donald Trump’s global trade offensive. The measures, agreed by member states on Wednesday, will affect approximately €21 billion worth of annual US exports, slightly less than the €26 billion impact of US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium implemented in March.
Intense negotiations saw Bourbon whiskey removed from the final list following US threats of 200% tariffs on European alcohol, a concession secured by France, Ireland and Italy. Hungary emerged as the sole dissenting voice against the retaliatory measures.
The tariffs will be implemented gradually between 15 April and 1 December, leaving room for potential negotiations, according to Commission’s trade spokesperson Olof Gill.
They [EU tariffs] can be suspended at any time should US agree to a fair & balanced negotiated outcome.
The Commission has signalled this as merely the opening salvo in an escalating trade conflict, with a second retaliation package expected next week. The moves come as 70% of EU exports to the US now face new trade barriers, including 25% duties on vehicles and 20% “reciprocal” tariffs across all sectors.
