EU to Target $28 Billion in U.S. Goods Amid Trade Dispute
14 April 2025 · Uncategorized ·
Source: · https://finance.technews.tw/2025/04/06/eu-strikes-back/
President Donald Trump has initiated reciprocal tariff policies against global trade partners, and the European Union (EU) recently announced retaliatory tariffs on American goods. The initial round targets a wide range of products—from dental floss to diamonds—valued at approximately $28 billion USD ($92.73 billion NT), with further measures potentially following in response to U.S. actions.
In reaction to Trump’s 25% tariff on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, the EU now faces a reciprocal 20% tariff imposed by Trump across nearly all other European goods categories. Considering that Europe exported approximately €53.2 billion ($194 billion NT) worth of products to America in 2024, these U.S. tariffs cover roughly 70 percent of total exports from the EU to the United States and may extend further to include copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and wood.
The European Commission (EC), which coordinates trade policies within the EU, has proposed a list targeting American goods with additional tariffs. This includes meat products, grains, wine, timber, clothing items, as well as everyday consumer goods such as chewing gum, dental floss, vacuum cleaners, and toilet paper.
Disagreement exists among member states regarding whether ‘Bourbon Whiskey’ should be included in the retaliatory list; while the EC plans to impose a 50% tariff on Bourbon whiskey, France and Italy are concerned that this could provoke Trump into imposing an additional 200% counter-tariff against all EU wines, champagnes, and spirits.
Trade ministers from the 27 member states will convene in Luxembourg on April 7th for a full political meeting to discuss potential tariff impacts and response strategies. This move aims at demonstrating unity within the European Union and compelling the U.S. government back into negotiations; if talks fail, the EU is prepared with ‘comprehensive retaliation.’
Currently, no concrete consensus has been reached between the EU and USA regarding tariffs. The initial retaliatory measures will be voted on April 9th—unless fifteen member states oppose them, a $28 billion tariff package could pass approval by then; new measures are expected to take effect from April 15th with further retaliation following one month later.
In reaction to Trump’s 25% tariff on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, the EU now faces a reciprocal 20% tariff imposed by Trump across nearly all other European goods categories. Considering that Europe exported approximately €53.2 billion ($194 billion NT) worth of products to America in 2024, these U.S. tariffs cover roughly 70 percent of total exports from the EU to the United States and may extend further to include copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and wood.
The European Commission (EC), which coordinates trade policies within the EU, has proposed a list targeting American goods with additional tariffs. This includes meat products, grains, wine, timber, clothing items, as well as everyday consumer goods such as chewing gum, dental floss, vacuum cleaners, and toilet paper.
Disagreement exists among member states regarding whether ‘Bourbon Whiskey’ should be included in the retaliatory list; while the EC plans to impose a 50% tariff on Bourbon whiskey, France and Italy are concerned that this could provoke Trump into imposing an additional 200% counter-tariff against all EU wines, champagnes, and spirits.
Trade ministers from the 27 member states will convene in Luxembourg on April 7th for a full political meeting to discuss potential tariff impacts and response strategies. This move aims at demonstrating unity within the European Union and compelling the U.S. government back into negotiations; if talks fail, the EU is prepared with ‘comprehensive retaliation.’
Currently, no concrete consensus has been reached between the EU and USA regarding tariffs. The initial retaliatory measures will be voted on April 9th—unless fifteen member states oppose them, a $28 billion tariff package could pass approval by then; new measures are expected to take effect from April 15th with further retaliation following one month later.