E.U. preparing further countermeasures against U.S. tariffs if negotiations fail, says EC President Ursula von der Leyen

The European Union is bracing for further action against U.S. tariffs, which were imposed by President Donald Trump at a rate of 20%. In response, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed concern that these tariffs would increase global economic uncertainty. Speaking in a livestreamed address, von der Leyen emphasized the danger of escalating protectionism, which could lead to dire consequences for vulnerable countries.
While von der Leyen acknowledged the need for trade reforms to address unfair practices, she warned that relying solely on tariffs as a solution would not fix the global trade system’s complexities. She reiterated that the European Union supports efforts to make trade rules more suited to current global realities but remains committed to defending European interests. In retaliation to the U.S. tariff move, the European Union had already planned to impose counter-tariffs worth €26 billion ($28 billion). These tariffs are set to target a wide range of U.S. goods, including industrial-grade steel, aluminum products, bourbon, agricultural goods, leather items, and home appliances. After a brief postponement, these tariffs are expected to take effect in mid-April. Von der Leyen warned that the U.S.'s tariff actions could disrupt the global economy by exacerbating uncertainty and protectionism. She argued that while the EU supports addressing unfair trade practices, escalating tariffs would not solve the underlying issues and could instead worsen global economic conditions for millions of people.

With the U.S. imposing additional tariffs, the European Union is preparing to escalate its countermeasures, signaling a continued clash between major global economies. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether negotiations can ease tensions or whether further tariffs will deepen global economic uncertainty.