EU Commission proposes 25% counter-tariffs on select US imports in retaliation to steel and aluminium duties

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.

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