The European Union and Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on Wednesday in response to the Trump administration’s decision to impose steep new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, escalating tensions between major trading partners.
At midnight, the U.S. began enforcing a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports from all countries without exemptions, the White House confirmed.
In retaliation, the European Union declared plans to impose countermeasures on approximately 26 billion euros (about $28 billion) worth of American goods. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need to protect European businesses and consumers.
“Tariffs are taxes. They harm businesses and, even more, they hurt consumers,” von der Leyen stated. “These measures disrupt supply chains, create economic uncertainty, and threaten jobs. Prices will rise—both in Europe and the United States.”
Canada also announced retaliatory tariffs amounting to 29.8 billion Canadian dollars (approximately $20.7 billion) on U.S. goods. Government officials pointed out that Canada is the largest supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S.
“Our priority is to defend Canadian interests, jobs, and workers,” said Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, during a press conference in Ottawa. He confirmed that Canada’s tariffs would take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday and would match the U.S. tariffs in scale.
The European Commission detailed its phased response, set to begin on April 1. Initially, it will reinstate countermeasures from 2018 and 2020, which had previously been suspended. By mid-April, additional tariffs targeting 18 billion euros’ worth of U.S. imports will take effect, impacting industrial and agricultural products such as steel, aluminum, home appliances, wood, poultry, and beef.
European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic reiterated the EU’s commitment to finding a diplomatic resolution while defending European industries.
“We want a strong transatlantic relationship, not a weaker one,” he stated. “However, these unjustified tariffs on our exports will not go unanswered.”
Despite the rising trade tensions, EU officials emphasized that they remain open to negotiations with the U.S. to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
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