The European Union will launch its first countermeasures against U.S. tariffs next week, the bloc’s members agreed on Wednesday. The European Union will put in place duties mostly of 25% on a range of U.S. imports starting next Tuesday in response specifically to the U.S. metals tariffs. The bloc is still assessing how to respond to vehicle and broader levies.
U.S. goods facing tariffs include corn, wheat, barley, rice, motorcycles, poultry, fruit, wood, clothing and dental floss, according to a document seen by Reuters. They totaled about 21 billion euros ($23 billion) last year, meaning the EU’s retaliation will be against goods worth less than the 26 billion euros of EU metals exports hit by U.S. tariffs. They will be enacted in stages – on April 15, May 16 and a final stage on almonds and soybeans on Dec. 1.
It remains unclear whether the EU is among those affected by Trump’s 90-day tariffs pause — and whether member countries might lift their own set of sanctions following the announcement.
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