In a bold move, EU countries are coming together to counter U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. With extra duties planned on up to $28 billion of U.S. imports — from dental floss to diamonds — the bloc is launching its first united strike back.
Trump’s tariffs include a 25% charge on steel, aluminium, and cars, plus 20% reciprocal duties set to hit almost all other goods from Wednesday, affecting nearly 70% of the EU's exports, which amounted to around 532 billion euros last year.
The European Commission, which coordinates EU trade policy, is preparing a targeted list of U.S. products such as meat, cereals, wine, wood, clothing, chewing gum, dental floss, vacuum cleaners, and toilet paper. The plan is to send a clear message to Washington: the EU is ready to negotiate for tariff removal while staying prepared to hit back if needed.
Luxembourg recently hosted the first EU-wide political meeting since Trump's tariff announcement. Trade ministers from all 27 nations exchanged views on the impact of these measures and worked to forge a united front. One EU diplomat remarked, "Our biggest fear after Brexit was bilateral deals and a break of unity, but it’s clear that common commercial interests unite us in facing these challenges." 😊
As the debate continues, all eyes are on how these coordinated countermeasures will reshape global trade discussions. The EU's decisive step underscores its commitment to solidarity and proactive engagement in the complex world of international trade.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
