Paris announces EU will respond to Trump’s metal tariffs

(MENAFN) The EU has warned of retaliatory action if US President Donald trump follows through on his threat to impose higher tariffs on metal imports. Trump has proposed raising levies by 25% on all steel and aluminum imports to the US, adding to existing duties. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that Europe would respond in kind, referencing similar actions taken in 2018 when Trump first implemented metal tariffs.

Barrot emphasized that the EU would defend its interests and pointed to the broad range of US products previously targeted by European countermeasures, including motorcycles, jeans, tobacco, corn, rice, orange juice, and bourbon. He stressed that the European Commission would determine which sectors to target with countermeasures when the time comes.

The trade dispute between Washington and Brussels began in 2018 when Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel and 10% on aluminum imports from the EU, citing national security concerns. The EU retaliated with tariffs on US goods, including Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Levi’s jeans, and threatened further measures, such as tariffs on EU car exports, though these were never implemented.

In his latest round of tariff moves, Trump also introduced levies on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, citing concerns over illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and other issues. These measures have faced delays as negotiations with Mexico and Canada resulted in agreements to enhance border security. Last week, Trump temporarily suspended a key tariff on China after it caused disruption in small-package deliveries.

MENAFN11022025000045015687ID1109192073