Tensions in U.S.-EU trade relations have escalated sharply after U.S. President Trump unexpectedly threatened to impose a 30% tariff on EU goods. The EU responded swiftly with a tough stance, threatening on Monday to impose additional retaliatory tariffs on tens of billions of dollars’ worth of U.S. goods, making a trade war seem imminent.
According to Xinhua News Agency, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, stated on the 14th that if the U.S.-EU trade negotiations fail, the EU is prepared to impose additional countervailing tariffs on U.S. imports worth 72 billion euros (approximately 84 billion U.S. dollars). On the same day, EU member state ministers held a meeting in Brussels to discuss response measures.
EU trade ministers unanimously expressed their continued hope to reach an agreement with the U.S. before the deadline to avoid damaging tariffs, while also being prepared for retaliation. Danish Foreign Minister and host of the meeting in his capacity as the EU’s rotating presidency, said that the U.S. tariff threat is “absolutely unacceptable,” adding, “We want a fair agreement, but if faced with unfair tariffs, we must be ready to respond.” French Trade Minister argued that there should be “no taboos” in formulating retaliatory plans, noting that the setbacks over the weekend require the EU to reconsider its strategy.
The EU warned that if Trump actually imposes the 30% tariff, U.S.-EU trade would become “almost impossible,” effectively amounting to a trade ban. In fact, the EU has already prepared a separate list of U.S. imports worth 21 billion euros in response to Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum. European Commission President announced on the 13th that these countermeasures will be postponed until early August, and the EU’s stance of preferring to resolve issues through negotiations with the U.S. remains unchanged.
Post time: Jul-15-2025