The European Commission announced on Wednesday that it would implement ‘countermeasures’ starting 1 April in response to the United States’ decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
In a statement addressing the US tariffs, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, ‘We deeply regret this measure’, while announcing that Brussels plans to initiate ‘a series of countermeasures’ to address what it describes as ‘unjustified trade restrictions’.
‘Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy,’ von der Leyen said.
According to her estimates, the US tariffs are valued at $28 billion, and the EU’s retaliatory measures will target an equivalent value of American goods.
‘The European Union must act to protect consumers and business,’ the EU’s statement read. ‘The countermeasures we take today are strong but proportionate. As the United States are applying tariffs worth $28 billion, we are responding with countermeasures worth €26 billion. This matches the economic scope of the tariffs from the United States.’
The 25% tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on steel and aluminium imports came into effect at 5am Central European time on Wednesday, escalating tensions in the on-going trade conflict between the United States and its major trading partners.
Washington has justified the tariffs as an effort to safeguard the domestic steel industry and American workers amid declining production and heightened competition from abroad, particularly from Asia.
The new tariffs will affect several countries, including Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, China, Brazil and Mexico, despite last-minute efforts by some nations to secure exemptions.
This is not the first time Trump has imposed tariffs on these metals. During his first term in 2018, similar duties on steel and aluminium prompted the EU to implement its own retaliatory tariffs, which remain suspended until the end of March.
As part of a dual approach to Trump’s trade actions, von der Leyen indicated that Brussels would allow the current suspension to lapse once it expires.
‘For the first time, these rebalancing measures will be implemented in full. Tariffs will be applied on products ranging from boats to bourbon to motorbikes,’ the commission stated.
Despite the tough stance, von der Leyen signaled the EU’s willingness to seek a diplomatic resolution. ‘We are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue. I have entrusted Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to resume his talks to explore better solutions with the US,’ she said.
Earlier this week, Sefcovic criticised the United States for not ‘engaging’ with the EU. However, European officials believe that by threatening countermeasures, they can pressure the US administration to return to negotiations.
On Wednesday, the commission formally initiated the process to enforce these countermeasures. The first stage involves a ‘two-week stakeholder consultation’ to ensure the selection of ‘the right products’ for tariffs while minimising the impact on EU businesses and consumers.
If the US does not reverse its position, the EU’s retaliatory measures will be fully implemented by mid-April.
We deeply regret the US tariffs imposed on Europe.
Tariffs are taxes.
They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers.
Today Europe takes strong but proportionate countermeasures.
We remain ready to engage in dialogue ↓ pic.twitter.com/5m1bGZjnsx
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 12, 2025
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