Constraints In some exports he thinks of the EU to put on the USA As a retaliation in the trade war that began last month by US President Donald Trump.
Restrictions will only be used if negotiations with the US, which have imposed new tariffs on EU goods worth about 380 billion euros ($ 432 billion), do not result in a satisfactory result, according to Bloomberg.
Such EU retaliation would mark a escalation in an expanding trade dispute, as they could cause a strong response from Washington. When Ontario announced that it plans to impose an additional tax on electricity shipped to the US, Trump threatened to impose a 50% duty on the metals from Canada.
Export restriction is not the only option examined by the EU. Other possibilities include Additional customs duties and public procurement restriction for US companies.
Such measures can be implemented in various ways, ranging from quotas and licenses to the complete ban on specific goods.
Usually these restrictions are aimed at vital goods for the country, which would be difficult to replace. Earlier this month, China added seven rare land – with applications from smartphones to medicines – to its export control list. The US has almost no possibility of processing these metals.
The EU and the US have so far made little progress in talks with the aim of cooperation. Prior to his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni on Thursday (17.4.2025), Trump said he was “very sure” of an agreement with the EU. European officials hope that the Italian prime minister can convince Trump.
It is noted that the EU has agreed last week to delay the implementation of a series against USA for the 25% duties imposed by Trump on the block and aluminum of the block. This move was made after the US president reduced the so -called “reciprocal” rate to most EU exports from 20% to 10% for the same period.
Trump has also imposed a 25% duty on cars, as well as on some components, and his government has made plans to impose duties on semiconductor and drug imports.
Trump has stated that his global duty hit is an attempt to bring back to the US jobs to manufacturing and to increase revenue to pay for tax cuts.
EU trading department leader Maros Sefsovic met on Monday in Washington with Commerce Minister Howard Lutnik and trading representative Jameson Green. Sefcovic left the meeting with little clarity on the US stance and found it difficult to identify the goals of the US side, Bloomberg said earlier.
The block already processes plans for more countermeasures if they do not reach an agreement at the end of 90 days. European Commission President Ursula von der Laien said that another option could see the block targeting the revenue from the digital advertising of US technology companies.
Any further escalation beyond the existing duties may require political decisions by the capitals of the bloc before additional plans are drawn up, one of the people said.