The European Union is preparing measures against the tariffs announced by the U.S. president, Donald Trump, who called the decision a "big blow to the global economy."
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her deep concern about the tariffs, which include a 20% tax on products imported from the EU. This measure is part of an effort to counter the trade deficit that the United States has with several countries.
The EU is one of the main trading partners of the United States, and in 2024, the EU was the largest buyer of U.S. products, with imports including pharmaceuticals, automobiles, alcoholic beverages, and telecommunications equipment.
Meanwhile, the United States is also the main source of goods imports for the EU. Von der Leyen warned that the tariffs not only affect the economies of the countries involved but also harm global trade.
She pointed out that the consequences would be immediate, with price increases and supply chain disruptions, affecting businesses of all sizes.
The EU previously stated that it would prefer to work with the United States to reduce trade barriers, but Von der Leyen stated that Europe is ready to respond with retaliatory measures if negotiations do not progress.
In the past, the EU replied to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum with measures against U.S. products worth up to 26 billion euros, including tariffs on products like boats, bourbon, and motorcycles. The president of the European Commission emphasized that while there is a willingness to negotiate, Europe must defend its own interests.
