EU strikes back: Brussels vows retaliation over Trump tariffs
The European Commission reacted strongly to Donald Trump's decision to raise tariffs on steel and aluminium from the EU to 50 per cent. Brussels announces possible retaliatory measures and warns that this would harm the global economy and affect industries on both sides of the Atlantic.
The increase in US tariffs on steel and aluminium imported from the European Union to 50 percent was met with an immediate and firm response from the European Commission. EC spokesman Olof Gill called Donald Trump's decision "regrettable" and warned that Brussels would not hesitate to respond with retaliatory measures.
Gill expressed intense disappointment over the newly announced U.S. tariff hike on steel, emphasising that the move contributes to greater instability in the global economy and leads to higher expenses for both consumers and companies across the Atlantic.
He also emphasised that the European Union acted in good faith by suspending its retaliatory tariffs on 14 April to give negotiations with the US a chance to continue. Meanwhile, Washington decided to take a stricter stance.
According to the European Commission spokesperson, if the two sides fail to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement, both current and planned EU measures will be implemented automatically on 14 July—or sooner, if required. In the meantime, Brussels is working on a list of possible restrictions aimed at safeguarding the EU’s industry, consumers, and employment.
Donald Trump justified the decision to raise tariffs by the necessity to protect the American steel industry.
The new rates are set to take effect on 4 June at 00:00 GMT. The United States remains the largest importer of steel in the world – according to the DPA agency, in 2024 alone, it imported the most of this raw material globally.
