As transatlantic tensions rise once again, the European Union is preparing to retaliate against the United States following the reimposition of heavy tariffs by President Donald Trump. In mid-March 2025, the U.S. introduced a 25% tariff on European steel and aluminum, impacting approximately €26 billion worth of EU exports. In response, the EU is gearing up to implement counter-tariffs on an equivalent value of American goods starting mid-April.
Among the U.S. goods set to be taxed are iconic products such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles, agricultural exports like soybeans and beef, and household appliances including refrigerators and lawnmowers. This response is designed to match the scale and scope of the U.S. tariffs while strategically pressuring politically sensitive sectors.
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European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington. After a two-hour meeting, Šefčovič stated on social media platform X that the U.S. tariffs were “damaging and unjustified” and that the EU remains committed to “meaningful negotiations” but is equally prepared to defend its interests.
Šefčovič’s post emphasized the need for a “fresh approach” to the EU-U.S. trade relationship and hinted that the EU would not back down under pressure. His sentiment was echoed by several EU officials who see Trump’s trade tactics as both aggressive and economically shortsighted. “The U.S. is taxing everything and everyone—even products like bananas and coffee that they don’t even produce,” a senior EU official commented. “It’s not very smart.”
The EU aims to hit the U.S. where it hurts, particularly in states key to Trump’s political base, such as Louisiana, Georgia, Nebraska, and Arkansas. For example, targeting agricultural products from these regions could cause domestic backlash against Trump’s policies. “We like soybeans, but we can get them from Brazil. We like Harley-Davidsons, but we can buy Yamahas,” said the official. “We have options, and we won’t be hurting ourselves.”
Beyond traditional tariffs, the EU is considering a broader set of measures. French government spokesperson Sophie Primas indicated the EU may soon begin taxing digital services provided by dominant American tech firms like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft. The U.S. currently enjoys a €109 billion surplus in services trade with the EU, primarily in sectors like finance and technology.
“If they’re going after our goods surplus, we’ll look at their service surplus,” warned another EU official. French Finance Minister Eric Lombard confirmed that the EU is working on a comprehensive retaliation package that could go well beyond customs duties.
Europe may also activate its new anti-coercion instrument, introduced in 2023. This powerful tool allows the EU to penalize countries that use economic threats or pressure against its interests. It can impose a variety of measures, such as barring market access, freezing product approvals, or blocking investments—without needing unanimous approval from all 27 member states.
This strategic flexibility gives Brussels greater power to act swiftly and decisively. “We are ready to implement strong, impactful, but proportionate countermeasures,” said Šefčovič. With a unified market of 450 million consumers behind it, the EU is confident in its ability to endure the trade storm.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for solidarity among EU member states: “Europe has everything it needs to weather this storm. If you target one of us, you target all of us. That’s why we will stay united.”
This article is originally published on lopinion.fr
