European response anticipated as U.S. announces new tariffs

Thursday 03 April 2025 - 13:20

By: Dakir Madiha

European response anticipated as U.S. announces new tariffs

European leaders are "ready to respond" to the new tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and are preparing countermeasures, asserted Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

The European Union is already working on "a new package of countermeasures" in case negotiations with the U.S. administration, which Brussels seeks, fail, von der Leyen stated in a speech from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where she is attending the first EU-Central Asia summit until Friday.

A preliminary package of countermeasures is being finalized to address the U.S. tariffs on steel.

The European executive leader expressed her deep regret over the White House's decision, which she believes will deal "a severe blow" to the global economy, estimating that the repercussions will be "disastrous for millions around the world," particularly affecting "the most vulnerable countries."

She also urged Washington to shift "from confrontation to negotiation." "From the very beginning, we have always been ready to negotiate with the United States to remove the last barriers to transatlantic trade," the European official assured.

President Trump announced on Wednesday new tariffs of at least 10% on foreign products imported into the United States. The EU will face customs duties of 20% starting April 9.