The European Commission, responsible for the EU’s trade policy, is preparing a “firm, proportional, strong, well-balanced, and timely response to any unfair and counterproductive measures by the United States”, stated Olof Gill, the spokesperson for the European Commission on Trade.
This statement from the Commission, communicated by Gill, comes ahead of the 25% tariff imposed by the United States on car imports, set to take effect on April 2.
There is no specific date for Brussels to implement initial countermeasures in response to the United States’ 25% tariffs on European aluminum and steel, which are already in effect, nor on European cars, or concerning potential “reciprocal tariffs” yet to be announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, targeting countries that have activated tariffs on American goods and services.
Thus, the EU Trade spokesperson did not specify when the EU’s possible response will occur, but emphasized that it will be “timely, vigorous, well-balanced, and have the expected impact”.
U.S. President Donald Trump has referred to VAT as a customs duty, something Gill deemed “absurd”.
Brussels has decided to “align” the timelines and “coordinate” the schedule for countermeasures. Therefore, on April 1, “nothing will happen”, clarified Gill.
The European Commission initially set this date to start implementing phased tariffs on U.S. imports valued at 26 billion euros in response to U.S. tariffs on European steel and aluminum exports. On Tuesday, a tariff was supposed to be applied to products valued at 4.5 billion euros, and by April 13, to an additional 18 billion euros.
Regarding the final list of U.S. products for which the EU will propose countermeasures in response to Washington’s tariffs, Gill noted that it will be “well chosen to create maximum impact on the U.S. and minimize repercussions on the European economy”.
“It is a choice we will have to make very thoughtfully and carefully,” emphasized Gill, following a consultation with stakeholders and member states.
The EU’s priority is to find “a negotiated solution that works for both parties” and that “strengthens” the trade and economic relationship between the United States and the EU, “which is the most valuable and important in the world”, added the European Commission spokesperson.
Convinced that the measures announced by the United States are going “completely in the wrong direction, as they do not benefit anyone”, the European bloc aims to “reinforce” the trade and economic relationship between Washington and Brussels, rather than “destroy it”, says Gill.
Meanwhile, efforts to dissuade Trump have so far not yielded results. European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has traveled to Washington twice since the Republican returned to the White House on January 20.
