**EU Announces Response to New US Steel and Aluminum Tariffs**
The European Union has announced measures in response to new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The EU is planning duties on over $28 billion worth of U.S. goods, according to an official statement published on March 12.
This move follows U.S. President Donald Trump‘s decision to impose 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, reigniting trade tensions between Washington and Brussels. The European Commission is launching countermeasures to protect businesses, workers, and consumers from what it called “unjustified U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs.”
**Tariffs in Two Phases**
The EU’s countermeasures could affect up to 26 billion euros ($28.3 billion) worth of U.S. goods exports. The retaliatory steps will be introduced in two phases. Previously suspended countermeasures, first imposed during the first Trump term in 2018 and 2020, will lapse on April 1.
The second phase will introduce new countermeasures on April 13 in response to U.S. tariffs costing the EU 18 billion euros ($19.7 billion) in exports. “We deeply regret this measure,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business and even worse for consumers.”
**Negotiation Opportunity**
The commission signaled its willingness to negotiate a resolution, saying that the measures could be lifted if an agreement is reached. Trump defended the tariffs as a means to simplify duties on metals and suggested retaliatory measures against countries imposing tariffs on U.S. goods.
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