‘We deeply regret’: EU to counter Trump tariffs with retaliatory measures

The European Commission announced Wednesday plans to implement countermeasures starting April 1 in retaliation against the 25% tariffs imposed by the U.S. on steel and aluminum imports.

“We deeply regret this measure,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement about the U.S. tariffs, as Brussels announced it would be “launching a series of countermeasures” in response to the “unjustified trade restrictions.”

“Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy,” she said. Von der Leyen estimated the U.S. tariffs were worth $28 billion and the European Union’s response would affect the same amount of U.S. products.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% duties on steel and aluminium imports took effect at 00:01 (04:01 GMT) local time Wednesday and marked a new stage in the trade war between the United States and its main trading partners.

Washington has framed the move as a bid to protect U.S. Steel and American workers as the sector declines and faces fierce overseas competition, especially from Asia.

The latest duties will impact Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, and China as well as Brazil and Mexico,, despite last-ditch attempts by some to get exemptions.

Trump-era trade dispute resurfaces

During his first presidency, Trump imposed duties on steel and aluminium exports in 2018, ─forcing the EU to respond with its own higher duties that are frozen until the end of March.

As part of the EU’s two-pronged approach to Trump’s actions, von der Leyen said Brussels will also allow the previous suspension to relapse once it expires.

“For the first time, these rebalancing measures will be implemented in full. Tariffs will be applied to products ranging from boats to bourbon to motorbikes,” the commission said.

Von der Leyen said, however, the EU was “ready to engage in meaningful dialogue. I have entrusted Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to resume his talks to explore better solutions with the U.S.”

Sefcovic had earlier this week said the United States was not “engaging” with the EU, but European officials believe that the threat to retaliate will be a show of strength that will bring the US administration back to the table.

The commission launched a procedure to impose the countermeasures on Wednesday.

The first step will be a “two-week stakeholder consultation,” to make sure that the “right products” are targeted and a response “that keeps disruption to EU businesses and consumers to a minimum.”

The EU’s countermeasures would be fully in place by mid-April unless Trump reverses course.