The European Union has announced it will respond to US President Donald Trump's tariffs by imposing retaliatory trade measures from 15 April, following an agreement by EU Member States.
The Commission’s proposal is in response to the US's decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the EU in March. On Wednesday, Member States voted in favour of hitting back with countermeasures, with only Hungary reportedly voting against the measure.
Last week, Trump announced his self-proclaimed "Liberation Day", which saw 20% tariffs being placed on imports from the EU. The new tariffs come on top of the 25% already applied to steel, aluminium and cars.
It came despite the best efforts of the EU’s trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič visit to Washington at the end of March, where he attempted to negotiate a deal. It included offering reciprocal zero tariffs for pharmaceuticals, rubber, plastic, machinery, and other industrial goods.
But Trump responded this week saying they were "not sufficient" – adding that "the European Union has treated us very, very badly."
'Damaging to both sides'
On Wednesday, the EU finally announced that it would resort to countermeasures, after admitting this week that relations with US were "getting worse" over the issue.
"The EU considers US tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy," the European Commission said when announcing countermeasures on Wednesday. "The EU has stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the US, which would be balanced and mutually beneficial."
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen addresses the media during a press conferenc at the EU headquarters in Brussels on March 6, 2025. Credit: AFP
Following the agreement by EU Member States, the countermeasures will enter into force – once the Commission’s internal procedures are concluded, and the implementing act published.
Duties will, therefore, start being collected for US goods coming into the EU as of 15 April. They will be applied in rounds, with the next ones set to come in from mid-May, and a final round in December.
The EU stressed that the countermeasures can be suspended at any time, "should the US agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome."
Diamonds exempted
The full effects on Belgium are still be seen, but the country has proposed rewriting a chapter of the Federal Government agreement to boost its competitiveness due to Trump's trade war.
There will also be no import tariffs on polished diamonds from the US, according to a response to the industry federation Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) on Wednesday.
"European import tariffs could cause the diamond sector in Belgium a great deal of damage, without this causing the United States any substantial pain."
