The European Union (EU) has announced it will impose counter tariffs on U.S. goods worth €26 billion ($28.33 billion) starting next month, following the reintroduction of U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium. The European Commission confirmed the move in a statement on Wednesday, detailing the timeline and scope of the countermeasures.
As of April 1, the EU will lift its temporary suspension of tariffs on U.S. products and begin imposing the new tariffs. A full implementation of the measures will take place by April 13. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated, “This matches the economic scope of the U.S. tariffs. Our countermeasures will be introduced in two steps.”
The EU has made it clear that it is open to engaging in meaningful dialogue with the U.S. to resolve the issue. “I have entrusted Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to resume his talks to explore better solutions with the U.S.,” von der Leyen added.
The U.S. tariffs, which include a 25% duty on steel and aluminium imports, went into effect on Wednesday after previous exemptions, duty-free quotas, and product exclusions expired under President Donald Trump’s administration. The EU’s response aims to counterbalance the impact of these tariffs on European industries and maintain fair trade relations.
