EU plans detailed countermeasures in response to US tariffs

In response to the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports introduced by the USA on 12 March 2025, the European Union (EU) has announced comprehensive countermeasures in a press release.These are to be implemented in two phases and affect a large number of US products.

In the first phase, tariffs on US products that were already affected in the trade conflicts of 2018 and 2020 will be reactivated from 1 April 2025. These measures had previously been suspended and are now coming back into force. Affected products include motorbikes, whiskey, boats, jeans and peanut butter. The second phase provides for the introduction of additional tariffs on other US products from 13 April 2025, e.g. on meat and meat products, wine and dairy products. The EU justifies these steps with the need to protect its consumers and companies from the effects of US tariffs.

Source: Verein Hamburger Spediteure (Freight Forwarding Association of Hamburg)