The European Union countered the US steel and aluminum tariffs, and the first wave of retaliatory tariffs hit the road on April 15

The European Union officially launched countermeasures against the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. On Wednesday, the EU approved the first batch of retaliatory tariffs, which are expected to impose a new round of tariffs on U.S. imports starting April 15, with a second phase of measures to be implemented on May 15. This is a direct response from the EU to U.S. President Donald Trump's earlier imposition of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products. The EU also emphasized that, although the actions are escalating, it still prioritizes resolving disputes through negotiations.

Tariff retaliation has officially commenced, with the first wave of measures covering food, clothing, and metals.

According to the announcement from the European Commission, the EU's counter-tariffs will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will start on April 15, and the second phase is scheduled to take effect on May 15. Although the EU has not yet released the final taxation list, the draft suggests that the US products that may be covered include poultry, grains, clothing, and metal products.

The European Commission is currently unwilling to disclose more details about the specific list of goods, only emphasizing that the retaliatory measures have been approved by member states and are ready to be implemented.

The EU criticizes the US measures as unreasonable and hopes there is still room for negotiation.

The EU expressed strong dissatisfaction with the US's imposition of tariffs, accusing it of being "unjust and destructive," which not only harms EU interests but also impacts the global economy.

"The EU believes that the US tariffs are unjustified and cause substantial damage to both bilateral and global economies." The European Commission stated in a release, "We continue to prioritize seeking a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial negotiated solution."

The European Union has also shown goodwill by stating that if the United States is willing to return to the negotiating table and reach a balanced consensus on the disputes, the European side can suspend the current countermeasures at any time.

The United States expands the tax scope, and the European Union: ready to respond further.

This trade dispute is not only aimed at steel and aluminum products; the United States also plans to impose import tariffs of up to 20% on almost all goods from the European Union. According to the latest statement from President Trump on April 2, this policy will affect imports from over 180 countries and regions.

In this regard, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clearly stated: "We are prepared to respond." She also emphasized that the EU does not wish for the conflict to escalate and continues to call on the US to return to the negotiation table, "It is still not too late; differences can still be resolved through negotiations."

$420 billion in exports affected annually, European companies under pressure.

The EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security noted this week that the latest round of US tariff measures has affected European exports valued at approximately 380 billion euros (about 420.45 billion dollars), accounting for about 70% of the EU's total exports to the US.

This is a serious blow to European manufacturing and exporters, especially against the backdrop of a still erratic pace of global economic recovery, and EU officials fear that an escalation of the conflict will have a more far-reaching impact on jobs within Europe, market confidence and the overall economy.

The article states that the EU has retaliated against the US steel and aluminum tariffs, with the first wave of retaliatory tariffs coming into effect on April 15. It first appeared in Chain News ABMedia.