EU adopts tariffs on €21 billion of US goods in metals dispute

4/9/2025

EU Approves €21 Billion in Tariffs on U.S. Goods in Retaliation for Trump’s Metal Duties

The European Union has approved retaliatory tariffs on approximately €21 billion ($23.2 billion) worth of U.S. goods, responding to the 25% duties President Donald Trump imposed last month on the bloc’s steel and aluminum exports.

On Wednesday, a majority of the EU’s 27 member states voted in favor of the measures, which will begin rolling out in phases starting mid-April. The tariffs will target politically sensitive U.S. exports, including soybeans from Louisiana—home state of House Speaker Mike Johnson—along with diamonds, poultry, motorcycles, and a range of agricultural products.

In a statement, the European Commission—the EU’s executive arm—said the tariffs could be suspended at any time if the United States agrees to a “fair and balanced negotiated outcome.”

The move escalates the growing transatlantic trade war. In addition to the metal duties, the U.S. has imposed a blanket 20% tariff on nearly all European exports and a separate 25% levy on cars and certain auto parts. Trump has also pledged further tariffs on lumber, semiconductor chips, and pharmaceutical products. Altogether, his latest tariff actions impact around €380 billion worth of EU exports.

According to Bloomberg, the EU tariffs will be rolled out in three waves: the first set taking effect on April 15, a second in mid-May, and a third on December 1. While most products will face a 25% tariff, a few categories will be subject to a 10% duty.

Notably, bourbon was removed from the final list of targeted goods following pressure from several EU member states. Trump had earlier threatened to retaliate with a 200% tariff on European alcoholic beverages—including wine and champagne—if bourbon remained on the list.

Trump has repeatedly criticized the EU, calling it an unfair trading partner and claiming the bloc was created to “screw” the United States. He has pointed to the EU’s goods trade surplus as evidence, and earlier this week, again attacked European regulations.

“They come up with rules and regulations that are just designed for one reason: that you can’t sell your product in those countries,” Trump said. “And we’re not going to let that happen.”