EU Responds to Trump's Tariffs

The European Union, one of America's largest trading partners, announced a swift response to Trump's tariff policies meant to target the EU specifically.

President of the European Council Antonio Costa.

The EU was previously one of America's largest, if not the largest, trading partners for a variety of manufactured goods like automobiles, semiconductors, computer systems, and many other variations of products. However, they are also a big exporter of steel, aluminum, and other raw/synthesized materials to the United States.

President Donald Trump of the United States has campaigned vigorously on raising tariffs on these products to "save" domestic manufacturers who have suffered for decades from over competition and low prices. This includes a flat 25% tariff duty on all of these products which has been in effect starting on Wednesday March 12th. This comes in the wake of many other tariff rates on Canada, Mexico, China, and other key net exporters to the United States.

In reaction to the Trump tariffs, European Union President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement, “As the U.S. are applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth 26 billion euros." The union wanted to negotiate with Trump on possibly reducing tariff rates so that both sides would not face high duties. While Trump affirmed that tariffs would improve job creation, the EU made the case that prices would go up.