An EU trade dispute results in $28 billion in counter-tariffs on US goods

Steel, aluminum, textiles, poultry, and agricultural items are among the $28 billion worth of US commodities that the EU plans to slap counter-tariffs on.

Following Washington’s broad tariffs on steel and aluminum, the European Commission said Wednesday that the European Union will impose counter-tariffs on €26 billion ($28 billion) worth of US goods beginning next month, intensifying a global trade battle.

Following the expiration of prior exemptions, duty-free quotas, and product exclusions, US President Donald Trump imposed 25% higher duties on all imports of steel and aluminum on Wednesday.

According to the European Commission, a fresh set of countermeasures will be introduced by mid-April, and the existing suspension of tariffs on US goods would be lifted on April 1.

Previously imposed on items including motorbikes, boats, and bourbon, the suspended duties will now be reinstituted. The EU will also hold a two-week survey to find more US goods that might be subject to tariffs.

In an effort to equal the economic impact of Washington’s most recent trade restrictions, the new measures are anticipated to target items worth about €18 billion. Steel, aluminum, textiles, home appliances, plastics, poultry, meat, eggs, dairy, sugar, and vegetables are among the industrial and agricultural goods that are the focus of the proposal.

According to a statement from the European Commission, “our countermeasures will be introduced in two steps, starting on 1 April and fully in place by 13 April.”

“We are prepared to have a serious conversation. She continued, “I have given Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic the task of resuming negotiations and looking into better options with the United States.