In response to US President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium, the European Commission has proposed counter-tariffs of 25% on a variety of US goods, a document seen by Reuters revealed on Monday.
The tariffs, targeting goods such as diamonds, eggs, dental floss, sausages, and poultry, will come into effect in two phases, with some tariffs starting on May 16 and others, including those on almonds and soybeans, scheduled for December 1.
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic emphasized that the counter-tariffs would have less of an impact than the previously proposed 26 billion euros ($28.45 billion) worth of measures. Notably, items like bourbon, wine, and dairy products were removed from the final list. The initial proposal had included a 50% tariff on bourbon, which prompted a warning from Trump of a 200% counter-tariff on EU alcoholic beverages. This threat had raised concerns in France and Italy, particularly due to the significance of their wine industries.
In addition to these countermeasures, the EU implemented tighter safeguards on steel imports starting April 1, aiming to reduce imports by 15%. The Commission is also considering the introduction of import quotas for aluminium.
The proposal is set to be put to a vote by EU member states on April 9, marking the next step in the ongoing trade dispute between the EU and the US.
The European Commission has proposed potential countermeasures on up to €95 billion worth of US goods should ongoing trade negotiations with Washington fail to resolve current tariff disputes.
The European Parliament has approved a relaxation of car and van CO₂ emissions targets, giving automakers more time to comply and potentially avoid billions in fines, following concerns over their readiness to meet 2025 goals.
European capitals are advising the European Commission to delay any major responses to U.S. trade tariffs until after the NATO summit in June, as leaders prioritize securing a consensus with Donald Trump on the future of Europe’s defense responsibilities.
The European Union is expected to announce new tariff counter-measures on Thursday targeting U.S. aerospace exports, including Boeing jets, in response to escalating trade tensions with Washington.
Slovakia and Hungary have condemned the European Commission’s new proposal to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027, warning the move would harm EU competitiveness.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are now conducting direct peace talks without Russian mediation, according to Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan. He told Armenian media that Moscow’s mediating role has ended and that direct dialogue is now seen as more effective.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confidently announced that there will be no war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing a shared commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
Britain has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes targeting directors of the oil trading firm Coral Energy Group, now known as 2Rivers Group.
Moscow is currently holding a Victory Day parade to mark 80 years since the end of the Great Patriotic War, with foreign delegations and military units participating.
A helicopter crash in Sri Lanka has resulted in six fatalities, according to military sources cited by AFP on Friday.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has announced it will no longer sell goods directly from China to U.S. customers, shifting instead to U.S.-based sellers amid the closure of a long-criticized customs loophole.
Cardinals from 70 nations have gathered in Vatican City to begin the historic conclave to elect the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis 17 days ago. This conclave is the most geographically diverse in Church history, showcasing Francis’ legacy of inclusivity.
Ukraine is exploring whether to replace the U.S. dollar with the euro as its reference currency, as Kyiv aligns more closely with the EU and global trade fractures deepen.
The U.S. Federal Reserve kept its benchmark federal funds rate unchanged on Wednesday, maintaining the target range at 4.25% to 4.50%, in a widely expected move as the central bank navigates a complex economic environment marked by slowing inflation, global trade tensions, and political pressure.
Ford is raising prices on three of its Mexico-made models starting May 2, becoming one of the first major automakers to react to U.S. President Donald Trump's steep auto tariffs, which are reshaping industry costs and consumer prices.
As European NATO countries rush to strengthen their armed forces, large pension bills threaten to divert funds from urgently needed military hardware.
The European Commission has presented a roadmap to ensure the EU fully ends its dependency on Russian energy, while ensuring stable energy supplies and prices across the EU.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are now conducting direct peace talks without Russian mediation, according to Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan. He told Armenian media that Moscow’s mediating role has ended and that direct dialogue is now seen as more effective.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confidently announced that there will be no war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing a shared commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
Britain has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes targeting directors of the oil trading firm Coral Energy Group, now known as 2Rivers Group.
Moscow is currently holding a Victory Day parade to mark 80 years since the end of the Great Patriotic War, with foreign delegations and military units participating.
A helicopter crash in Sri Lanka has resulted in six fatalities, according to military sources cited by AFP on Friday.
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