- European Union member states voted to impose tariffs on billions of dollars worth of U.S. goods in response to President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on European aluminum and steel last month. The European Commission noted that the tariffs can be lifted anytime should the United States be willing to negotiate.
- The tariffs will reportedly begin this month and take effect in a phased approach.
- The EU did not release the list of goods impacted but will reportedly include American meat and clothing.
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The European Union (EU) voted on Wednesday, April 9, in favor of retaliatory tariffs on $23 billion in U.S. imports in a countermeasure to President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from Europe.
The EU said in a statement that the move is in response to U.S. tariffs it finds “unjustifiable and destructive, causing damage to both sides, as well as the world economy.”
The duties will reportedly go into effect in different phases, with some going into force on April 15 and others taking effect on May 15 and Dec. 1.
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What US goods are included?
The EU did not list the goods that will be impacted, but the European Commission (EC) noted, “These countermeasures can be suspended at any time, should the U.S. agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome.”
However, Reuters reported that the EU plans to impose tariffs on U.S. meat, cereals, wine, wood, clothing, gum, floss, vacuums and toilet paper.
The EC also said, “The EU has stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the U.S., which would be balanced and mutually beneficial.”
The impacted goods are a fraction of the $1.8 trillion in annual trade between the United States and the EU.
Why the targeted tariffs from the EU?
Trump’s expanded tariffs on aluminum and steel went into effect in March. The EU has targeted some American imports to put pressure on the U.S. to come to the bargaining table and avoid further economic damage from a trade dispute.
What’s next?
The EU is also reportedly considering a response to Trump’s 20% tariff on all European goods, announced on what the president deemed “Liberation Day,” as he listed a host of new tariffs to be imposed on more than 180 countries and territories. The Associated Press reports that EU countermeasures could target the United States tech industry, the service industry and other U.S. imports.
