- EU plans $28 billion in tariffs on US goods after Trump imposes new import duties.
- France and Italy signal further countermeasures if negotiations with the US fail.
- Experts warn that a trade war could slow eurozone growth and impact global markets.
The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has strongly criticized US President Donald Trump’s new tariffs, calling them a major blow to the global economy. She warned that the European Union (EU) is ready to respond if talks with Washington do not succeed.
Trump recently announced a 10% minimum tariff on most imported goods and a higher 20% rate for European Union products. In response, von der Leyen said the EU is already preparing a first round of tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28.4 billion) of US goods, which will be implemented by mid-April.
She also said that if negotiations fail, the EU will introduce further countermeasures to protect its businesses. However, she did not provide details on the future steps.
France and Italy Respond
A French government spokesperson confirmed that additional tariffs on a wider range of goods and services may be introduced by the end of April. Digital services are likely to be one of the areas targeted.
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that the EU hopes to avoid a trade war but will ensure an “adequate” response if necessary. EU trade ministers will discuss the issue in Luxembourg on Monday.
The EU exports more to the US than it imports, making it vulnerable to tariffs. In 2024, the US imported 334 billion euros worth of EU goods, while the EU exported 532 billion euros to the US. Experts suggest the EU may retaliate by limiting US companies’ access to EU markets, including public tenders and financial services.
The European Central Bank warned that a 25% tariff could reduce eurozone growth by 0.3 percentage points in the first year. Von der Leyen expressed regret over the US decision and said she is still open to negotiations to resolve the trade dispute.
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