The Blubber

EU Proposes 25% Counter-Tariffs on U.S. Goods in Response to Trump’s Metal Duties

The European Commission has put forward a proposal to impose 25% tariffs on a broad array of U.S. goods, in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.

Some of the new EU tariffs are set to take effect on May 16, while others will be implemented later in the year, on December 1, the document said.

The list of targeted products spans a wide range—including items such as diamonds, eggs, dental floss, sausages, and poultry. Tariffs on agricultural exports like almonds and soybeans will be part of the December round.

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič stated earlier Monday that the economic impact of these measures would be lighter than the previously proposed 26 billion euro ($28.45 billion) package.

Originally, goods such as bourbon, wine, and dairy products had been on the Commission’s radar for potential tariffs back in March, but those items have now been dropped from the final list. The Commission had initially considered a 50% tariff on bourbon, which led Trump to threaten a massive 200% retaliatory tariff on European alcoholic beverages—a move that alarmed wine-producing nations like France and Italy.

In addition to the new proposed countermeasures, the EU had already moved to curb steel imports by 15% as of April 1, through stricter safeguard measures. The bloc is also weighing the introduction of import quotas on aluminium.

EU member states are scheduled to vote on the proposed tariffs on April 9.