EU Unveils $28 Billion Countermeasures to Trump’s Steel Tariffs

The European Union has responded to the Trump administration’s metals tariffs by announcing that member states will impose countermeasures on approximately 26 billion euros (about $28 billion) worth of U.S. goods.

The U.S. began enforcing 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports from all trading partners at midnight, with no exceptions or exemptions, according to a White House statement.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU “must act to protect consumers and businesses” in response to the tariffs.

“Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers,” von der Leyen said. “These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States.”

The European measures were designed to match the scale of the U.S. tariffs, which the European Union estimated to be worth about $28 billion. The countermeasures are expected to take effect on April 1 and be fully implemented by April 13, according to the European Commission.

“In the meantime, we will always remain open to negotiation,” von der Leyen said.

The countermeasures consist of two steps. The first step, effective April 1, involves reinstating a set of previously suspended 2018 and 2020 countermeasures against the U.S. on a range of products.

For the second step, member states will implement new countermeasures by mid-April, targeting approximately 18 billion euros worth of U.S. goods entering the bloc.

These new countermeasures will focus on both industrial and agricultural products, including steel and aluminum, home appliances, wood products, poultry, beef, and other food imports, according to a fact sheet released on Wednesday.