The European Union will retaliate against the United States with tax measures.

08.04.2025 10:32

The European Union will implement the first phase of retaliatory measures against the U.S. customs tariffs on April 15. Maros Sefcovic, the EU Commissioner for Trade, stated at the meeting that the course of trade relations with the U.S. would be determined and that they are open to mutual negotiations.

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Maros Sefcovic, the European Commission's Member responsible for Trade, announced that the first phase of the retaliatory measures against the US customs tariffs will come into effect on April 15. The date for the implementation of the European Union's retaliatory tariffs against the US has been determined. Following an emergency meeting of the trade ministers of the 27 member countries of the union held in Luxembourg, Maros Sefcovic, the European Commission's Member responsible for Trade, and Poland's Deputy Minister of Economy, Michal Baranowski, held a press conference. In the press conference held after the meeting where the EU's stance on trade relations with the US was discussed, Sefcovic emphasized that the response to the US customs tariffs could not be delayed. Stating that they are in the early stages of discussions with the US, Sefcovic said, "The US has used tariffs as a corrective measure, not a tactical one. We are fully ready to sit at the negotiation table as soon as our American partners are ready."

In the meeting held today, Sefcovic expressed that all member countries' trade ministers are acting together within the union, stating that the European Commission's priority is a solution through negotiation, but they cannot wait for the US indefinitely.

"380 BILLION EUROS WORTH OF EXPORTS WILL BE AFFECTED"

Emphasizing that the customs tariffs imposed by the US affect a significant portion of the EU's exports, Sefcovic said, "In fact, we are talking about 380 billion euros worth of exports to the US. This means that 70% of our total exports are subject to customs duties at higher rates, such as 20%, 25%, or even 27.5% when combined with the existing tariffs. For example, for passenger cars. We have proposed zero to zero customs tariffs for cars and all industrial products."

Stressing that they are working on retaliatory measures following discussions with member countries in response to the US steel and aluminum tariffs, Sefcovic said, "The voting will take place on April 9, the final list will be accepted on April 15, and the customs duties on the products will come into effect on the same day."

THE SECOND PHASE OF RETALIATORY TAXES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON MAY 15

Sefcovic stated, "All dates have been clearly defined by the legal process. In this context, we will present the final list this evening. We expect the voting to take place on Wednesday, and after its completion, the collection of customs duties will begin on April 15. This is for the first part of the process. The second part of the process, in full compliance with the World Trade Organization methodology, will come into effect 30 days later, on May 15."

Sefcovic said, "Sooner or later, we will sit at the negotiation table with the US and reach a mutually acceptable compromise." Polish Deputy Minister Baranowski stated that they want to give their American partners time to think the situation through thoroughly. Baranowski said, "It can be seen that these solutions are not very beneficial for the US economy either."