EU Lawmakers Criticize US Tariffs as Tensions Rise
Amid escalating trade tensions, EU officials voice opposition to US tariffs on steel and aluminum while anticipating further retaliatory measures.
Amid rising trade tensions between the United States and the European Union, Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's Trade Committee, has characterized US tariffs on steel and aluminum as "not at all economically useful and rational." The criticism follows the implementation of blanket 25% tariffs on these metals, which Lange labeled as "crazy" and underscored that they target commonplace items.
He added that claims these tariffs are a matter of national security lack justification, given that the products affected include everyday consumer goods like car bumpers and fitness devices.
Lange predicted that further tariffs, likely to be announced on April 2, could mirror the retaliatory measures imposed by other countries.
He indicated that these could target EU automotive imports or address the bloc's digital taxes on US technology firms.
The tariffs follow President Donald Trump's longstanding discontent with the EU's automobile import taxes and its antitrust investigations into US tech companies.
Other EU officials echoed Lange's assessment, asserting that the US tariffs are detrimental to business and confirming that the EU remains open to negotiations but seeks clarity on US objectives.
A senior EU official noted that the bloc has many alternatives to US products, emphasizing the willingness to source goods such as soybeans from countries like Brazil and Argentina.
The imposition of the tariffs coincided with a scheduled meeting between Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and President Trump, where trade issues were expected to be discussed.
In 2022, the US reported a substantial trade deficit with Ireland, amounting to €50 billion, while the overall EU trade surplus in goods with the US surged to €198.2 billion from 2023 to 2024, according to data released by the European Commission.
In a related development, President Trump announced on social media that he would double the tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum to a total of 50%, effective immediately.
This decision follows Ontario's imposition of a 25% tariff on electricity exported to the US. Trump has also demanded that Canada lift its high tariffs on various US dairy products and warned of potential increases in tariffs on auto imports if Canada does not comply.
The ongoing tariff disputes and their ramifications for international trade present a challenging landscape as both sides navigate their economic relations.
He added that claims these tariffs are a matter of national security lack justification, given that the products affected include everyday consumer goods like car bumpers and fitness devices.
Lange predicted that further tariffs, likely to be announced on April 2, could mirror the retaliatory measures imposed by other countries.
He indicated that these could target EU automotive imports or address the bloc's digital taxes on US technology firms.
The tariffs follow President Donald Trump's longstanding discontent with the EU's automobile import taxes and its antitrust investigations into US tech companies.
Other EU officials echoed Lange's assessment, asserting that the US tariffs are detrimental to business and confirming that the EU remains open to negotiations but seeks clarity on US objectives.
A senior EU official noted that the bloc has many alternatives to US products, emphasizing the willingness to source goods such as soybeans from countries like Brazil and Argentina.
The imposition of the tariffs coincided with a scheduled meeting between Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and President Trump, where trade issues were expected to be discussed.
In 2022, the US reported a substantial trade deficit with Ireland, amounting to €50 billion, while the overall EU trade surplus in goods with the US surged to €198.2 billion from 2023 to 2024, according to data released by the European Commission.
In a related development, President Trump announced on social media that he would double the tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum to a total of 50%, effective immediately.
This decision follows Ontario's imposition of a 25% tariff on electricity exported to the US. Trump has also demanded that Canada lift its high tariffs on various US dairy products and warned of potential increases in tariffs on auto imports if Canada does not comply.
The ongoing tariff disputes and their ramifications for international trade present a challenging landscape as both sides navigate their economic relations.
