The EU will impose tariffs on selected US goods from April onwards in the trade dispute with the US.

Statement by President von der Leyen and Commissioner Šefčovič on EU countermeasures against US tariffs

Strasbourg, March 12, 2025

Trade relations between the European Union and the United States are the largest in the world. They have brought prosperity and security to millions of people. And trade has created millions of good jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

As of this morning, the United States is imposing a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports. We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for the economy and even worse for consumers. They disrupt supply chains. They create uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will rise. Nobody needs this – neither in the European Union nor in the United States.

The European Union must act to protect consumers and businesses. The countermeasures we are taking today are strong but proportionate. As the United States is imposing tariffs worth $28 billion, we are responding with countermeasures worth €26 billion. This is in line with the economic impact of the US tariffs.

Our countermeasures will be introduced in two stages – beginning on April 1 and fully implemented from April 13. In the meantime, we remain open to negotiations.

We firmly believe that, in a world full of geo-economic and political uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with such tariffs. We are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue. I have tasked Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič with resuming talks and seeking better solutions with the United States.

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Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič:

Thank you, Madam President.

Let me begin by repeating my words of regret. Today's US tariffs are taking us in the wrong direction – for several reasons. Trade relations between the EU and the US are well balanced and extremely profitable for both sides. When it comes to steel and aluminum in particular, we share a number of challenges—such as global overcapacity caused by non-market practices. The European Union is part of the solution, not the problem.

I raised these points during my visit to Washington last month. It was clear that the European Union is not the problem, which makes today's measures all the more unjustified. I have advocated avoiding unnecessary burdens caused by measures and countermeasures. But it takes two to tango.

However, the US government has chosen to pursue a harmful course of unjustified tariffs, leaving us with no choice but to respond—and that is precisely what we are doing now.

First, starting in April, we will automatically reinstate our currently suspended countermeasures from 2018 and 2020. These affect US exports to the EU worth €4.5 billion.

Secondly, the Commission is taking decisive action on an additional package of countermeasures that will affect US exports to the EU worth €18 billion.

Over the next two weeks, we will hold consultations with key stakeholders to shape this new package of measures. The aim is to offset the trade value affected by US tariffs while minimizing the impact on European businesses and consumers.

The disruption caused by tariffs can be avoided if the US government accepts our offer and reaches an agreement with us.

Under the leadership of the president, I am prepared to negotiate. We are prepared to find a solution.

Official EU announcement (translated).