The European Commission is preparing to respond to new tariffs imposed by the US, including those on car imports and reciprocal tariffs expected to take effect soon. The Commission spokesperson stated that if necessary, the EU will deliver a firm and proportionate response to counter the US’s measures. This response will include tariffs on American products, including cars, steel, and aluminium, with consultation ongoing among member states on the targeted goods. The EU may also expand retaliatory measures to services, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing trade tensions between Brussels and Washington.
Following the announcement of tariffs on car imports by the US, there have been strong reactions across the EU. German Minister for economic affairs Robert Habeck emphasized the importance of the EU giving a decisive response to the tariffs, demonstrating strength and self-confidence in negotiations with the US. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič recently met with top US officials in Washington, but the talks did not yield any negotiated outcome, disappointing the European Commission. Some officials, including French economy minister Eric Lombard, have expressed frustration at the lack of cooperation from the US and emphasized the need for a unified response from the EU to address the escalating trade tensions.
The European Commission is awaiting the implementation of reciprocal tariffs by the US next week before deciding on further countermeasures. The US tariffs on cars are set to be implemented on April 2, in addition to existing tariffs on steel and aluminium. Brussels is considering two lists of American products for retaliatory tariffs, which are likely to take effect in mid-April. An anti-coercion instrument, adopted by the EU in 2023 but never used, could provide a powerful tool in trade disputes by allowing Brussels to impose measures on intellectual property rights or restrict licensing against a third country, further escalating tensions between the EU and the US.
The escalating trade tensions between Brussels and Washington have raised concerns among European officials, who are calling for a decisive and unified response from the EU. The imposition of tariffs on car imports by the US has triggered significant reactions within the EU, with calls for strength and self-confidence in negotiations with the US. Despite recent meetings between EU and US officials, negotiations have not yielded any results, leading to frustration among European leaders regarding the lack of cooperation from the US. French economy minister Eric Lombard emphasized the need for a strong, retaliatory response from the EU to address the situation.
The European Union is preparing to implement retaliatory tariffs on American goods in response to new tariffs imposed by the US, with a focus on car imports, steel, and aluminium. The EU is consulting member states on targeted goods and considering expanding retaliatory measures to services, signaling a significant escalation in trade tensions. The EU is awaiting the implementation of reciprocal tariffs by the US next week before finalizing its response, which is likely to include a broader package of retaliatory tariffs. The use of an anti-coercion instrument is also under consideration as a powerful tool in addressing global trade disputes between the EU and the US.
In conclusion, the EU is gearing up to respond to new tariffs imposed by the US, including those on car imports, steel, and aluminium. The European Commission is expected to deliver a firm and proportionate response, including retaliatory tariffs on American goods, ahead of the implementation of reciprocal tariffs by the US. European officials have expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from the US and emphasized the need for a unified response from the EU to address the escalating trade tensions. Despite recent meetings between EU and US officials, negotiations have not yielded any results, leading to concerns about the ongoing trade dispute between Brussels and Washington.
