EU's Retaliation New Tariffs on U.S. Goods
As of April 10, 2025, the European Union (EU) has finalized its retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. The EU's counter-tariffs are set to begin on April 15, 2025, and target approximately €21 billion ($23 billion) worth of U.S. goods. The affected products include:
- Agricultural Products: Soybeans, almonds, orange juice, and poultry.
- Industrial Goods: Motorcycles, yachts, tobacco, and certain steel and aluminium products.
Initially, the EU had proposed a 50% tariff on U.S. whiskey imports, which would have impacted brands like Jack Daniel's and Maker's Mark. These retaliatory tariffs are structured in three phases:
- April 15, 2025: Implementation of the first wave of tariffs.
- May 15, 2025: Second phase of tariff measures.
- December 1, 2025: Final round of tariffs to be enforced.
The EU has indicated that these measures could be suspended at any time should the U.S. agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome.
It’s important to note that while these tariffs are set to begin on April 15, 2025, the EU has not yet announced any retaliation for the 20% “across the board” tariff on EU goods that was announced by the U.S. last Thursday.
In summary, as of April 10, 2025, the EU has finalised its retaliatory tariffs against U.S. imports, targeting a wide range of goods, with implementation scheduled to commence on April 15, 2025.
These measures reflect the EU's response to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium and are designed to pressure the U.S. politically while minimizing harm to the EU by selecting goods that can be sourced elsewhere.