The European Union has announced its response to the Trump administration’s metals tariffs, revealing plans to impose countermeasures on approximately 26 billion euros (roughly $28 billion) worth of U.S. goods.
At midnight, the U.S. began applying a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports from all trade partners, without exceptions or exemptions, according to the White House.
In a statement, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said the EU “must act to protect consumers and businesses.” She further explained, “Tariffs are essentially taxes. They hurt businesses and are even worse for consumers. These tariffs disrupt supply chains, create uncertainty for the economy, and put jobs at risk. Prices will rise, both in Europe and the United States.”
The European countermeasures are designed to match the scope of the U.S. tariffs, which the EU estimates will be worth around $28 billion. The countermeasures are expected to begin on April 1 and be fully implemented by April 13.
“We remain open to negotiation,” von der Leyen added.
The countermeasures will be introduced in two stages. The first step involves restoring previously suspended countermeasures from 2018 and 2020, targeting a range of U.S. products, starting on April 1.
The second step will see new countermeasures rolled out by mid-April, targeting approximately 18 billion euros worth of U.S. goods entering the EU. These measures will affect both industrial and agricultural products, including steel, aluminum, home appliances, wood products, poultry, beef, and other food imports, as outlined in a fact sheet released Wednesday.
Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s trade commissioner, emphasized that European officials are committed to working with their U.S. counterparts toward a “win-win” outcome but made it clear that the “unjustified tariffs on our exports will not go unanswered.” He also stated, “We should be strengthening this important relationship, not weakening it.”