The European Union is gearing up to implement strategies to address the recent tariffs enacted by U.S. President Donald Trump, should talks with the White House prove unsuccessful. This announcement came from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
On Wednesday, Trump enacted a sweeping “reciprocal tariff” policy, imposing a 20% levy on a wide range of goods imported from the EU. According to a list released by the White House, over 180 countries and territories will face these new duties.
“We are prepared to respond,” she affirmed. “We are currently adjusting our plans for further countermeasures to safeguard our interests and businesses if discussions fail to yield results.”
Emphasizing the importance of negotiations, von der Leyen stated the EU aims to reduce trade barriers rather than increase them.
“It is not too late to address concerns through negotiations,” she asserted. “Let’s shift from conflict to dialogue.”
Maros Sefcovic, the EU commissioner responsible for trade and economic security, announced that he would engage with U.S. officials on Friday.
“Unjustified tariffs inevitably lead to negative consequences. We will respond in a calm, phased, and unified manner while allowing sufficient time for discussions. However, we will not remain passive if a fair agreement cannot be reached,” he stated on the social media platform X.
“I will be in touch with my U.S. counterparts tomorrow.”
Significant Ramifications
Von der Leyen criticized Trump’s decision, labeling it a “major blow” to the global economy, with severe repercussions anticipated.
“There appears to be no coherence amid this disarray, and the complexity and chaos generated will impact all U.S. trading partners,” she remarked.
She also warned of “significant ramifications,” highlighting that consumers and businesses worldwide would feel the immediate effects.
“Uncertainty will escalate, potentially leading to increased protectionism. The consequences could be dire for millions globally, particularly for vulnerable nations facing the highest U.S. tariffs,” von der Leyen cautioned.
The EU has pledged to support sectors affected by these tariffs, including steel, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and others, according to von der Leyen.
The EU leader acknowledged Trump’s assertion that some nations exploit existing trade rules, expressing the EU’s willingness to back efforts to modernize the global trading system to reflect today’s economic realities.
Nevertheless, she cautioned that relying on tariffs as the first solution will not resolve the existing issues.
Current EU Countermeasures
On Thursday, von der Leyen confirmed that any new countermeasures against the U.S. would build upon those already proposed by the EU.
The bloc had previously unveiled retaliatory tariffs last month following U.S. tariff impositions, citing the need to protect European workers and consumers. The EU indicated that it would introduce counter-tariffs on $28 billion worth of U.S. goods.
Additions to previously suspended duties—imposed partially during Trump’s first presidency—are expected to be reinstated, along with new tariffs on additional products.
These include various types of steel and aluminum products, alongside other commercial goods like machinery parts and knitting needles. The tariffs will also target a range of other products, including bourbon, agricultural items, leather goods, and household appliances.
After a brief delay, these tariffs are expected to take effect around mid-April.
