EU responds to Trump’s tariff battle, targets Republican states; UK retains choices open

The European Union on Wednesday, 12 March, introduced retaliatory commerce motion with new duties on US industrial and farm merchandise, responding inside hours to the Trump administration’s improve in tariffs on all metal and aluminium imports to 25 per cent.

The world’s greatest buying and selling bloc was anticipating the US tariffs and ready prematurely, however the measures nonetheless place nice pressure on already tense transatlantic relations. Solely final month (February), Washington warned Europe that it must maintain its personal safety sooner or later.

In the meantime, UK prime minister Keir Starmer — throughout the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) session within the Home of Commons — mentioned the UK will maintain “all choices on the desk”.

Starmer had been requested by Liberal Democrat chief Sir Ed Davey about retaliatory strikes, as he urged the prime minister to be “extra sturdy” within the face of American commerce tariffs that might influence many UK companies.

The EU retaliatory measures, to begin with, will cowl items from the US price some 26 billion euros (USD 28 billion) — and never simply metal and aluminium merchandise, but additionally textiles, residence home equipment and agricultural items.

Additionally, bikes, bourbon whiskey, peanut butter and denims can be hit once more — as they had been throughout President Donald Trump’s first time period as properly.

The EU duties intention for strain factors within the US whereas minimising further harm to Europe. The tariffs — taxes on imports — primarily goal Republican-held states, hitting soybeans in Home speaker Mike Johnson’s Louisiana, but additionally beef and poultry in Kansas and Nebraska. Produce in Alabama, Georgia and Virginia can be on the listing.