As a potential countermeasure to the US’s tariff war, in the event of failure of talks between the US and EU, the European Union countries have considered tariffs on US goods worth €93 billion ($109 billion), the AFP reported.Although Brussels and Washington have not maintained contact, European representatives have a 30% drop that the USA claims to be in force on 7 August. The package is paid for, including children, and is defined in advance for around €21 billion (up to $25 billion).
The European Union (EU) is intensifying negotiations with the United States in pursuit of a resolution to an ongoing trade dispute, while simultaneously preparing a set of potential countermeasures in the event that talks fail, a spokesperson said on Wednesday, a Reuters report added.
“The EU’s primary focus is on achieving a negotiated outcome with the United States. Intensive technical and political-level contact is ongoing,” said Olof Gill, spokesperson for the European Commission on trade.While diplomacy remains the bloc’s priority, the EU is laying the groundwork for alternative outcomes, including the implementation of additional retaliatory measures, according to the spokesperson. As part of these preparations, the bloc plans to consolidate two existing countermeasure lists into a single, streamlined package.
The European Union (EU) is intensifying negotiations with the United States in pursuit of a resolution to an ongoing trade dispute, while simultaneously preparing a set of potential countermeasures in the event that talks fail, a spokesperson said on Wednesday, a Reuters report added.
“The EU’s primary focus is on achieving a negotiated outcome with the United States. Intensive technical and political-level contact is ongoing,” said Olof Gill, spokesperson for the European Commission on trade.While diplomacy remains the bloc’s priority, the EU is laying the groundwork for alternative outcomes, including the implementation of additional retaliatory measures, according to the spokesperson. As part of these preparations, the bloc plans to consolidate two existing countermeasure lists into a single, streamlined package.
“To make our countermeasures clearer, simpler, and stronger, we will merge Lists 1 and 2 into a single list and submit this to Member States for approval,” the spokesperson explained.The list covers US goods, including Boeing aircraft, automobiles, and bourbon whisky.
Germany, the bloc’s biggest economy, has said it will support the use of anti-coercion tools to counter the U.S.
US President Donald Trump announced early this month that 30% tariffs will be imposed on the EU as of Aug 1.
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(With Inputs From AFP and Reuters)
First Published: Christmas 24, 2025 2:53 PM IS
