The European Union is bracing to fire back at President Trump’s sweeping tariff offensive with a €28 billion retaliation package expected to be unveiled Monday and voted on by Wednesday. With nearly 70% of EU exports to the U.S. under threat—including cars, steel, and consumer goods—Brussels is scrambling to maintain unity while preparing to strike back.
What’s Coming:
The bloc’s countermeasures are laser-focused: U.S. meat, wine, cereals, wood, denim, vacuum cleaners, and even dental floss are on the initial hit list. The most controversial? Bourbon. With a proposed 50% tariff on the iconic American spirit, France and Italy are uneasy—and Trump has already threatened a 200% counterstrike on EU alcohol in response.
The Stakes:
The tariffs target over $585 billion in EU exports. Trump’s 25% levies on cars, steel, and aluminum begin this Wednesday, with reciprocal 20% duties on everything else. Pharma, semiconductors, copper, and timber are next in line. Trump has warned that if the EU touches bourbon, more tariffs are coming.
Behind Closed Doors:
Trade ministers from all 27 EU countries will meet in Luxembourg Monday—the first official political huddle since Trump’s tariff blitz. The goal? Stay united, keep pressure on Trump, and avoid falling into a fragmented free-for-all.
“It’s a difficult balance,” one EU diplomat told Reuters. “We can’t be too soft, but we also can’t risk an escalation we can’t control.”
What’s Next:
• Monday: The European Commission presents the final list of targeted U.S. goods.
• Wednesday: EU member vote—approval expected unless a rare qualified majority blocks it.
• April 15: The first wave of tariffs takes effect.
• May 15: Second wave hits.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also meet with CEOs from Europe’s steel, auto, and pharma giants this week to evaluate the fallout and sketch out a longer-term playbook.
Trump’s tariffs have already wiped out $5 trillion in S&P 500 value and triggered retaliation from China, Canada, and others. Now, Europe is stepping up—slowly, deliberately, but decisively.
As one EU official put it bluntly: “This is no longer about just trade. It’s about defending our economic sovereignty.”
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.
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