A tougher attitude wishes to gradually show the EU against the US, declaring ready -made talks this afternoon via teleconference of Community Commissioner for Trade with its counterparts to the US – but also for escalation, following the announcement of US duties (2.4.2025) by the US President. Donald Trump.
For more than a year, the EU is preparing for the worst scenario. In a secret meeting of ‘Trump Action Team’ (Task Force Trump)Commission experts worked with the 27 Member States to coordinate strategies and retaliation.
In an interview with Handelsblatt, senior EU officials and diplomats reveal more details about the plans and appear emphatically relaxed.
According to this report, it would probably be difficult to find a compromise for the time being, as The problem between the two poles of the controversy, namely the US and the EU, is not only the scope of trade (in which the EU has a surplus), but also the scope of services (in which the US has a surplus).
In the commercial field, the EU is alleged to have prepared retaliation through duty increases in a series of imports from the US (eg Harley -Davidson motorcycles, whiskey, Caterpillar projects, Caterpillar projects and Samsonite suitcases) discusses the possibility of reducing their tariffs. It was in place until recently for imports of European cars in the US.
In the field of services, the EU, the answer – if it does not go back to duties especially in cars – will be tougher and will provide taxes to US technology companies and digital services at the same time that The EU – Trump conflict is raging in relation to European laws (DMA, DSA) that squeeze Google and Amazon.
How does the EU react?
The EU is following Double strategy. On the one hand, it offers negotiations and on the other, it threatens with increasingly harsh retaliation if the US remains stubborn.
Yesterday (3.4.25), Commission President Ursula von der Laien emphasized the importance of transatlantic trade, which has created prosperity and “millions of jobs”. Therefore, the EU is ready to negotiate further market liberalization.
But also warned that one ‘First Back of Brother in response to punitive duties’ It is also ready that the EU will receive “further countermeasures (…) if the negotiations fail”.
What is going on now?
Trade Commissioner Maros Sefsovic will speak today (4.4.2025) with his counterparts to the US. “We want to understand what the goal is actually,” said a senior EU official. “We have the feeling that they do not know why the duties are imposed.”
The reasons Trump invokes are contradictory: “Is this a commercial deficit? Then we can negotiate. Or is it the re -industrialization or reduction of national debt with duty revenue? ” If, as he was afraid, the Americans did not want to negotiate, the EU would counterattack.
When will the first retaliation measures come into force?
According to the committee, EU first reciprocal duties will come into force “in mid -April”. According to Commission sources, the exact date is April 14, but possibly on the night of April 15th. With this first round, the EU responds to Trump’s duties on steel and aluminum products.
- The first stage It consists of classic retaliation in US products worth about 26 billion euros. The list is already known and includes Harley-Davidson motorcycles, whiskey, Caterpillar projects, Caterpillar projects and Samsonite suitcases. According to the Commission, these duties could come into force on April 14.
- If Washington does not retreat will follow second round which is a reaction to Trump’s so -called “Liberation Day” duties, especially US duties on cars and 20% punitive duties in all EU imports. This phase will be significantly tougher and will also affect the Services and US technology companies. An official speaks of a “bazooka” and adds: “We are very likely to target US services for the first time.”
According to a senior EU official, these countermeasures will be presented on the week of April 14th. They will be agreed with EU Member States in late April and are expected to enter into force in early May.
What does the EU want to negotiate?
Trade Commissioner Mr. Sefcovic will talk to his counterparts in the US through video link this afternoon. The aim is to draw up a plan for terms for possible negotiations.
According to Commission circles, the EU is ready to reduce its import duties in cars from 10% to 2.5% if the US resigns from their punitive duties.
What does trade war be with Europe’s digital laws?
The Trump government repeatedly stresses that it wants to overthrow the European DMA (DIGital Market Act) and DSA (Digital Services Act). With these laws, Europe wants to oblige technology giants such as Google and Amazon to behave fairly.
In discussions with Handelsblatt, EU officials said that They are afraid that Trump will now demand the negotiations to abolish the EU these laws. If the EU is indulging here, this could have harsh consequences for many smaller EU companies, whose business model depends on the look of Google’s searches, for example.
So far, technology Commissioner Henna Virkkunen has stressed that the EU Commission will impose its rules. So far it is reluctant to impose sanctions. According to EU diplomats, however, the first sanctions are expected in the coming days. The process against Platform X, which belongs to Donald Trump’s adviser Elon Musk, has gone further.
However, instead of abandoning the technological regulation, the EU Commission could also facilitate the Trump government by imposing rather lenient sanctions and not opening further procedures at present.
Can America torpedo the EU strategy?
In Brussels there were fears that Trump could try to divide EU members. So far, he has failed. According to one official, there is a greater unity than ever: “I have never seen such a level of coordination between the Commission and the Member States.” Only Hungary and Italy show self -restraint. However, They have no veto right – because the committee decides on commercial measures.
How do other countries react?
Like the European Commission, China has announced its intention to receive “decisive countermeasures” to “protect its interests”. The majority of Chinese imports are subject to an additional 34%duty. Since January, a flat -rate duties have been applied 20 percent to Chinese imports. Therefore, the overall tariff burden on many products will increase to more than 50 percent.
“The duties came faster than I expected,” said Shanghai Professor Zu Tian. “I am sure that China will also increase the tariffs in retaliation.”
The United Kingdom and Japan are much more careful. British exports to the US are only 10%duty. Negotiations on a trade and technological agreement with the US will continue, according to reports in London. The government in Japan initially responded to a helping package for businesses affected.
Observers do not expect tough punitive measures from Japan. On the one hand, Japan depends on its protective power, the US, in terms of security policy, and on the other, the market is very small.