As ‘unjustified and unacceptable’ characterizes American duties 30% the announcement of the Council of Ministers of Commerce European Union (EU).
However, EU ministers at their meeting today (14.07.2025) remained fully committed to cooperation with the US to achieve a negotiating result, which would ensure the duties and restore stability and predictability in transit trade. According to ministers, ministers support the Commission to lead these negotiations on its behalf.
The ministers widely supported the extension of the suspension of the first EU countermeasurists (additional duties on US imports worth € 21 billion) from July 15 to August, in order to give more margin for negotiations. The procedural aspects of this extension will be addressed through the Committee’s process, led by the Commission.
At the same time, preparations for any additional countermeasures have been intensified and the Commission could submit the proposal or proposals if the circumstances require it.
“Today’s meeting was convened in the face of current challenges in trade relations with the US,” said Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Danish Foreign Minister, who is chairing the EU.
“The EU is united for a mutually beneficial agreement and we will continue to negotiate in good faith. At the same time, we are ready to defend our interests, including proportional countermeasures, if required. In these times of geopolitical uncertainty and growing protectionism, it is more important than ever to turn our backs on the rest of the world. We need to accelerate the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations with other partners and complete the agreements, “he added.
Ministers also referred to issues related to the consequences of the new US trade policy, such as diversion of trade, which is closely monitored by the Commission. This project is being carried out in close cooperation with the Member States and the stakeholders of the business world.
It is noted that the EU also accelerates its efforts to differentiate its trade relations and deepen global corporate relationships. The political agreement reached on July 13 with Indonesia on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement is a powerful and timely example of this wider strategy.
US duties against the US duties against the EU have been suspended until August 1st. However, the US is already implementing some EU duties: a “basic” duty of 10%, additional 50% duties to steel and aluminum and 25% additional tariffs on cars. As a result of these US trade policy measures, about 70% of EU exports to the US are influenced by various additional US duties.
Ministers have exchanged views on the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations, including agreements that have already negotiated and pending agreements, such as Mercosur, Mexico, Indonesia and the revision of the connection agreement with Ukraine, as well as the Ukraine, the Malaysia,
In the context of current commercial tensions and the disorder and unpredictable nature of transatlantic trade relations, ministers underlined the importance of accelerating the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations and the Commission’s proposals are expected for agreements with Mercosur and Mexico.
Ministers have been in favor of building stronger bilateral trade relations with a wider range of partners in areas such as Latin America, Asia, Indo-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, as well as with the overall and progressive agreement on the transatlantic partnership (CPTPP).
Ministers welcomed the political agreement reached with Indonesia, which is a decisive step towards completing the negotiations by September 2025, and hope that it would be possible to conclude an economically important agreement with India before the end of the year.