EU plans powerful countermeasures against Trump's tariffs - threatens a trade war?

EU plans powerful countermeasures against Trump's tariffs - threatens a trade war?

The European Union (EU) is planning a closed approach to the new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. At a meeting of the commercial ministers of the 27 EU member states, which will take place in Luxembourg on Monday, the impact of these measures focuses on. According to OE24 , the planned countermeasures for US imports could achieve a volume of up to 28 billion US dollars.

The European Commission has already created a list of US products that additional tariffs could be collected. This includes US meat, grain, wine, wood, clothing and even everyday products such as chewing gum and toothbrushes. The bourbon whiskey, for which an inch of 50 percent is planned, is particularly controversial. Trump had threatened to go to alcoholic beverages from the EU with a counterpart of 200 percent, which leads to a critical discussion among wine exporters from France and Italy.

strategies and concerns of the EU

In order to maintain pressure on the US government and initiate negotiations, the EU is striving for broad support for its reactions. Economic worries about a possible global recession due to Trump's tariffs have already led to a worldwide stock market crash. According to reports, around 70 percent of EU exports to the United States, which had a value of 532 billion euros last year, are affected by Trump's tariffs. The EU could also impose retribution tariffs on copper, pharmaceutical products, semiconductor and wood, which could end in an escalating trade conflict situation.

The main goal of the meeting in Luxembourg is to send a uniform message to the US government and to demand the abolition of these tariffs. EU diplomats emphasize the need for a balancing act between pressure on the USA and avoiding a further escalation of the situation.

transatlantic relationships after Trump's re -election

After Trump's re -election in November 2024, the European Parliament discussed intensively on the effects on transatlantic relationships. Leading EU MP require a continuation of transatlantic cooperation. On February 12, 2025, there was a debate about the customs threats of the Trump government. Maroš Šefčovič, a member of the European Commission, criticized the US tariffs as harmful to companies and consumers. At the same time, deputies such as Bernd Lange pointed out the possibility of counter-tariffs, the US government should not react adequately to the EU reactions, as to DGAP warn that the EU must concentrate on its own strengths. The need to complete the internal market and to negotiate ambitious free trade agreements is of central importance. It is also emphasized that the EU must strengthen the multilateral rules of the WTO in order to avoid future trade conflicts.