EU Warns of Global Trade Disruption as US Imposes New Tariffs

The European Union has voiced strong concern over the potential disruption to global trade following the United States’ decision to enforce sweeping new tariffs on European exports. In response, Brussels is preparing a coordinated set of countermeasures, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The U.S. tariffs, which took effect last Wednesday, include a 25% levy on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, as well as a 20% tariff on a wide range of other EU goods. The new trade duties impact nearly 70% of the EU’s total exports to the U.S., which were valued at $585 billion in 2024.

“We are assessing the full impact of these unjustified tariffs and are finalizing a proportionate and strategic response,” von der Leyen stated. She emphasized the EU’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a rules-based global trading system and ensuring fair competition.

Following a discussion with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, von der Leyen confirmed plans to unveil the EU’s retaliatory package within days. The two leaders are scheduled to meet in London on April 24 for an energy security summit, where trade and geopolitical risks are also expected to be addressed.

The European Commission has also cited growing geopolitical instability, including Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine, as a compounding factor in current global market volatility.

EU trade ministers will convene in Luxembourg on Monday to evaluate the economic implications of the U.S. action. Items under consideration for retaliatory tariffs include semiconductors, copper, pharmaceuticals, and timber — sectors that form a critical part of transatlantic trade.

With tensions rising, economists warn that an escalating tariff war could further strain the global economy, already impacted by inflation and supply chain disruptions.