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The workers of the German steel manufacturer Salzgitter AG are in front of an oven in a plant in Salzgitter, Germany, March 1, 2018.
Fabian bimmer | Reuters
The European Union has quickly reacted to the president of the United States. Donald Trump25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports that entered into force on Wednesday, Retalias with their own punitive countermeasures That said they were necessary to protect consumers and companies.
The White House confirmed the tasks, which will affect Canada, Australia, the EU and others, Tuesday night, but said Trump no longer planned to increase tariffs on metals from Canada to 50%.
The EU responded rapidly, saying that it would impose Counter-tariffs at 26 billion euros ($ 28.33 billion) for the value of American goods as of April.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Wednesday told journalists that the EU “must act to protect companies and consumers.”
“We deeply regret this measure (by the USA.). Tariffs are taxes, they are bad for business and, worse for consumers, they are interrupting supply chains, they bring uncertainty for the economy, jobs are at stake, prices are up and nobody needs that, none needs that.” He said during a press conference.
The commercial ties between the United States and the EU “are the largest in the world,” said Von der Leyen, and the relationship had brought “prosperity and security to millions of people”, as well as the creation of employment on both sides of the Atlantic, he said.
The EU two -pointed approach will cause previously suspended tariffs to be imposed at 8 billion euros of US exports, and a series of new countermeasures over 18 billion euros of goods in a movement that von der Leyen had previously described as “strong but proportional.”
“We will always remain open to negotiation,” She added in a statement.
Ascending tensions
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, attends a press conference after a special summit of leaders of the European Union to discuss the defense of Ukraine and Europe, in Brussels, Belgium, on March 6, 2025.
Stephanie Lecocq | Reuters
Unlike Mexico, Canada and China, EU origin products had not been affected by Trump tariffs until steel and aluminum duties entered into force on Wednesday.
The tensions between Washington and Brussels have been slowly since the inauguration of Trump in January, when the White House leader immediately indicated his intention to impose tariffs on the block.
“They have really taken advantage of us,” Trump said at a cabinet meeting on February 26, he added: “They do not accept our cars, they do not essentially accept our agricultural products. They use all kinds of reasons why not. And we accept everything.”
One of Trump’s biggest errors is the United States commercial deficits with several key business partners, including Canada and EU.
European Commission data shows that the EU had a commercial surplus of 155.8 billion euros ($ 159.6 billion) with the US for goods in 2023, but had a deficit of 104 billion euros in the services. In general, the EU-US goods and services in 2023 worth 1.6 billion euros ($ 1.68 billion), According to the EU.
Machinery and vehicles constitute most of the EU exports to the USA by product group, followed by chemicals, other manufactured products and medicinal and pharmaceutical products.
– Katrina Bishop and Amala Balakrishner of CNBC contributed reports to this story.
