The European Union has announced retaliatory measures against the United States following the imposition of new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports by the Trump administration. The US government imposed a 25 percent tariff on these imports, escalating tensions between the two major trading partners. In response, the EU has outlined countermeasures amounting to 26 billion euros, which will be implemented in two stages.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic confirmed the EU’s response in a press briefing, stating that the measures would match the economic scope of the US tariffs. The first phase of these countermeasures will begin on 1 April, with full implementation by 13 April. Von der Leyen stressed that while the EU deeply regrets the US decision, it must act to protect European businesses and consumers. She criticised the tariffs, describing them as disruptive to supply chains and harmful to both economies.
Sefcovic highlighted that the EU-US trade relationship is the largest in the world and benefits both sides. He pointed out that Europe has been working with the US to address global steel overproduction, primarily driven by non market practices, and argued that the EU is part of the solution, not the problem. He expressed disappointment that the US administration had ignored opportunities for negotiation and instead opted for unjustified economic aggression.
The EU’s response includes reinstating previously suspended trade restrictions from 2018 and 2020, which will affect 4.5 billion euros worth of American exports. Additionally, Brussels is preparing a second wave of countermeasures targeting a further 18 billion euros in US goods. European officials will consult key stakeholders over the coming weeks to shape this response, aiming to minimise harm to European businesses while ensuring a proportionate response to the US tariffs.
Despite these retaliatory measures, the EU remains open to negotiations. Von der Leyen reiterated that the current trade dispute is avoidable if the US administration chooses to engage in meaningful dialogue. Sefcovic also expressed a willingness to return to the negotiating table, but he made it clear that the EU would not hesitate to defend its economic interests.
This latest development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing trade tensions between Europe and the US under Trump’s leadership. The tariffs have drawn criticism from European officials who argue that such actions threaten economic stability and international trade cooperation. While the EU remains committed to diplomacy, it has made it clear that it will not stand idly by as the US imposes harmful trade restrictions on European industries.
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