The European Commission on Thursday revealed plans to introduce new tariffs on U.S. imports valued at up to $100 billion including high-value goods such as aircraft, if ongoing negotiations with the U.S. fail to resolve the trade dispute.
“The EU remains fully committed to finding negotiated outcomes with the US,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
A published list by the European Commission contains passenger cars, medical devices, chemicals, plastics, and a range of agricultural products. Bourbon and other alcohols have been reinstated after France and Italy initially urged its removal due to concerns about possible repercussions from President Trump.
The commission is also engaging with national governments to explore potential restrictions on specific EU exports, including steel scrap and chemical products valued at €4.4 billion, destined for the United States, according to a press release.
The proposed tariffs are intended as a response to duties enacted by Trump, including a broad 20% tariff that the U.S. initially declared but later suspended, along with ongoing levies on automobiles. The EU tariffs would not be implemented immediately, and the list of affected industrial and agricultural goods—such as vegetables and machinery—could be revised following a month-long consultation with the bloc’s 27 member states.
U.S. tariffs now apply to 70% of EU exports. An EU official said that the EU was not introducing a ‘retaliation’ package but rather seeking to ‘rebalance’ trade relations with the U.S. if negotiations fail to produce a deal.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic cautioned earlier this week that additional U.S. tariff measures may be forthcoming, depending on decisions regarding levies on lumber, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductor imports. He indicated that up to 97% of EU exports to the United States could potentially face tariffs.
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