EU Considering 25 Pct Retaliatory Tariffs on Some U.S. Goods

X/ @Megatron_ron

April 8, 2025 Hour: 7:33 am

A vote on the first set of retaliatory measures is scheduled for April 9, with implementation expected on April 15.

On Monday, the European Union (EU) proposed a 25 percent tariff on select U.S. products in response to President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose duties on European steel and aluminum. Part of the retaliatory tariffs is set to take effect on May 16.

The goods are wide-ranging and include diamonds, eggs, dental floss, sausages and poultry. Items previously under consideration, namely, bourbon, wine, and dairy, have been removed from the final list.

European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic confirmed that a list of countermeasures would be circulated to EU member states. A vote on the first set of retaliatory measures is scheduled for April 9, with implementation expected on April 15.

While saying the EU’s preference for negotiation, Sefcovic emphasized the bloc’s readiness to deploy “every tool” to shield itself from the impact of U.S. tariffs should talks break down. “We are prepared to use every tool in our trade defense arsenal to protect the EU single market, EU producers, and EU consumers,” he said.

The European Union appears to be shelving its previous belligerent rhetoric about hitting back at President Trump’s tariffs, announcing the intent to pursue negotiations instead, with one big gesture right away: offering to slash EU tariffs in exchange for Washington doing the… pic.twitter.com/WvLtAlrplB
— Walnut- OnX 🇺🇸 (@WalnutTheOx) April 8, 2025

Meanwhile, German luxury carmaker Audi suspended deliveries of vehicles that arrived at U.S. ports after April 2, in response to a 25-percent tariff introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

All affected cars will be withheld from distribution to dealers for the time being. A company spokesperson said more than 37,000 Audi vehicles already in U.S. inventory — unaffected by the new duties — remain available for sale. This stock is expected to cover roughly two months of demand in the U.S. market.

The 25-percent auto tariffs, which came into effect on April 2, pose a particular challenge for export-reliant brands like Audi, a Volkswagen subsidiary that has no production facilities in the United States.