Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission said on February 10, 2025, it would react to protect European Union interests after Trump announced upcoming metals tariffs but stated it would not react until it had detailed or written clarification of the measures.
According to the statement of the European Commission,
“At this stage, we have not received any official notification regarding the imposition of additional tariffs on EU goods. We will not respond to broad announcements without details or written clarification. The EU sees no justification for the imposition of tariffs on its exports. We will react to protect the interests of European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified measures.”
The statement further added,
“In general: The imposition of tariffs would be unlawful and economically counterproductive, especially given the deeply integrated production chains the EU and US established through Transatlantic trade and investment. Tariffs are essentially taxes. By imposing tariffs, the US would be taxing its own citizens, raising costs for business, and fuelling inflation. Moreover, tariffs heighten economic uncertainty and disrupt the efficiency and integration of global markets.”
How could the tariffs impact transatlantic trade relations?
Recently, US President Donald Trump revealed his new plans to bring in a huge surge in his trade policy. It aimed at imposing new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. Trump stated US to levy a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports into the United States starting February 10.
This move affects imports from all countries. Apart from these tariffs, Trump vows to make public retaliatory tariffs that he intends to impose on countries that impose duties on American goods. He explained that if other nations impose charges on the U.S., then it will impose similar charges on them.
The tariffs will greatly influence major steel suppliers such as Canada and Mexico as well as other nations like Brazil and Vietnam. Canada is especially affected because it has a large percentage of U.S. aluminium imports.
