The European Commission announced on Wednesday that it will apply counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28 billion) of US imports beginning next month, escalating a global trade war in reaction to US steel and aluminum levies.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, ending exemptions, duty-free quotas, and product exclusions.
The European Commission announced it will end the tariff moratorium on US goods on April 1 and propose a new package of actions by mid-April.
The halted duties apply to boats, bourbon, and motorbikes, and the EU will conduct a two-week survey to choose further product categories.
The EU said the fresh measures will target 18 billion euros in goods to match the increased value of trade affected by the new US tariffs.
Industrial and agricultural products like steel, aluminum, textiles, home appliances, plastics, poultry, meat, eggs, dairy, sugar, and vegetables are proposed targets.
“We will introduce countermeasures in two steps. European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen stated in a statement that it would begin on April 1 and be completely implemented on April 13.
“We welcome meaningful dialogue. I’ve asked Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to resume talks with the US to find better alternatives, von der Leyen said.
