EU plans decisive countermeasures against Trump's new car tariffs!

US President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on European automobile imports that will come into force on April 2, 2025. This measure triggered immediate reactions in the European Union. According to a report by Mercury The EU is planning counter-tariffs in response and has drawn up a 99-page list of potential measures that could have a significant impact on the US economy. Sectors affected include technology companies such as Apple and Tesla, as well as various service companies.

The EU plans to target industries in Republican-leaning states in order to increase political pressure on the Trump administration. The possible measures could also include a digital tax for US technology companies. Affected products include consumer goods such as refrigerators and washing machines, as well as agricultural machinery such as tractors and combine harvesters. Elon Musk and his companies such as Tesla and SpaceX in particular could suffer from the new tariffs, as their sales figures in Europe fell by almost 50 percent in January and February 2025.

EU reacts decisively

Ursula von der Leyen stressed the EU's determination to respond to US tariffs while highlighting the need for cooperation with the US, reports ZDF. Europe aims to remain competitive and not be crushed between China and the USA. Trump had previously introduced tariffs on steel and aluminum, which also affect German exports. These tariffs were introduced under his administration in 2018, and while the tariffs on EU cars were averted then, pressure is now being put on the European market again.

The EU has two main options for responding to the new tariffs: either impose tariffs on US goods, which would have little effect, or identify products that are economically important in Republican states to build political pressure. There is agreement among the 27 EU member states on the need to take action against US tariffs.