Following Trump's correspondence, the EU unveils fresh retaliatory tariffs list - In response to Trump's correspondence, EU unveils fresh round of counter-tariffs
The European Union (EU) has announced counter-tariffs on imports from the United States (US) as a response to President Trump's recent tariff announcements, particularly the increase to a 30% tariff on EU goods.
On May 8, 2025, the EU launched a public consultation on potential countermeasures targeting a wide range of US-originating imports worth €95 billion. These products under review for additional EU import duties include aircraft, automobiles, medical devices, IT equipment, and industrial machinery. On the export side, the EU considered restrictions on products such as scrap metals and chemicals, covering about €4.5 billion in EU exports. This was part of a preparatory step pending the success of negotiations with the US.
Following President Trump's announcement on July 10, 2025, to increase baseline reciprocal tariffs to 15-20%, the EU President Ursula von der Leyen vowed to take all "necessary" measures to protect the EU's economic interests. She expressed readiness to defend the EU while continuing to seek a trade agreement by August 1, 2025.
On July 13, 2025, the EU temporarily suspended immediate retaliatory tariffs but planned to propose retaliatory tariffs targeting an additional €72 billion worth of US goods in EU capitals, signaling willingness to escalate if negotiations fail.
German officials and industry representatives have underscored the serious economic impact of these US tariffs, emphasizing the necessity of a pragmatic and swift resolution to avoid severe disruption to transatlantic trade, particularly in the automotive sector.
The EU's counter-tariffs are focused on substantial US imports, mainly high-value industrial and technological products, with a potential retaliatory list covering up to approximately €95 billion in imports. The EU is balancing readiness to impose tariffs with ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute.
The meeting took place in Brussels, where EU Trade Commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, and his US counterparts negotiated a framework agreement for weeks. Sefcovic expressed concern that the situation could escalate if no agreement is reached, stating "This thing will not end well otherwise." Despite Trump's letter, Sefcovic still feels that his US counterparts are ready for further talks.
The German economy, which is heavily export-oriented, is particularly vulnerable in a trade war. Almost one in four jobs in Germany depends on exports, which have been shrinking since 2024 and are now under additional pressure due to the trade dispute with the US. The German government, represented by State Secretary Thomas Steffen at the trade ministers' meeting, made no public statements.
[1] European Commission. (2025). Public consultation on potential countermeasures against US tariffs. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_25_455 [2] European Commission. (2025). EU prepared to defend its interests against US tariffs. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_25_500 [3] European Commission. (2025). EU to propose additional retaliatory tariffs against US goods. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_25_550
- In light of the European Union's ongoing dispute with the United States over reciprocal tariffs, the European Commission has published a comprehensive policy paper, detailing potential countermeasures that focus on high-value industrial and technological products imported from the US, which could potentially affect up to €95 billion worth of goods.
- Amidst the escalating trade tensions, the politics surrounding employment policy within the EC countries have gained significant attention, as the potential for severe disruption to transatlantic trade, particularly in the automotive sector, could result in job losses and economic instability across the European Union.
