**EU Approves Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Amid Trade Tensions**
The European Union has voted in favor of imposing new tariffs on U.S. products in response to Washington’s steel and aluminum tariffs. All EU member states except Hungary supported the measures, which are set to take effect next week. The move comes shortly after President Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries but raised duties on Chinese imports to 125%. The EU’s retaliatory tariffs target specific American goods, including motorcycles, poultry, fruit, and wood, as outlined in a draft proposal seen by Reuters. The bloc emphasized that these measures could be suspended if the U.S. agrees to a “fair and balanced negotiated outcome.”
**Escalation and Potential Negotiations**
The EU’s decision follows the Trump administration’s earlier imposition of 25% tariffs on European steel and aluminum, along with a separate 20% levy on European car imports. While the EU’s reciprocal 20% tariff is currently paused, the bloc remains open to negotiations. European officials have stressed that a trade war harms both sides and have called for continued dialogue. French Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin echoed this sentiment, advocating for diplomacy over further escalation. Meanwhile, European stock markets have suffered significant losses, with major indices dropping around 3% amid growing trade tensions.
**Next Steps and Economic Impact**
The EU’s retaliatory tariffs are expected to be implemented in phases, starting next Tuesday, with additional rounds in May and December. The European Commission has signaled flexibility, stating that its “clear preference” is to reach a mutually beneficial trade agreement with the U.S. However, if negotiations fail, the tariffs will proceed, potentially worsening economic strains on both sides. The situation remains fluid, with markets reacting nervously to the ongoing trade disputes, which have already contributed to a more than 10% decline in European stocks over the past week.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/09/g-s1-59187/european-union-tariffs.