EU says it is going to react firmly in opposition to US reciprocal tariff hikes

By
Reuters

Revealed

February 14, 2025

The European Fee mentioned on Friday it noticed no justification for U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “reciprocal” commerce coverage and would react “firmly and immediately” in opposition to tariff will increase ensuing from it.

The Fee, which coordinates commerce coverage for the 27-nation European Union, described the proposed coverage as a step within the flawed course.

“The EU maintains some of the lowest tariffs in the world and sees no justification for increased U.S. tariffs on its exports,” the Fee mentioned in a press release.

The European Union’s common utilized tariff on imported items was among the many lowest globally, the EU govt mentioned, with over 70% of imports coming into tariff-free.

A reality sheet from the White Home on Thursday highlighted the distinction between EU tariffs on automobile imports of 10%, in contrast with the two.5% price for these coming into america, in addition to EU restrictions on imports of U.S. shellfish.

“The EU will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies,” it mentioned in a press release.

The feedback echo European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen’s vow on Tuesday of “firm and proportionate countermeasures” in response to Trump’s choice to impose tariffs on all metal and aluminium imports.

EU ministers liable for commerce took a softer line on Wednesday by prioritising negotiations over retaliatory measures, conscious that the U.S. metal and aluminium tariffs will solely apply from March 12.

“There is a window for negotiation,” Irish Overseas Minister Simon Harris mentioned in a press release.Equally, Trump’s directive on Thursday didn’t impose extra tariffs, however as an alternative kicked off what might be weeks or months of investigation into the levies imposed on U.S. items by different buying and selling companions earlier than devising a response.

Three EU diplomats mentioned it made sense to make use of the time to barter, whereas getting ready a agency response if U.S. tariffs had been imposed.