The twenty -seven (but without Hungary) approve the countermeasures in three phases. It starts on April 15th. Brussels remains open to dialogue: “Ready to suspend if it is understood”.
Europe responds to the United States: Green light to counter -natives for 20.9 billion euros. With an almost unanimous vote, unique contrary Hungary, the twenty -seven have approved, as expected, the tariff countermeasures against Washington. They are 10% and 25% duties that will affect a wide range of US products starting from April 15th.
The ok came from a technical committee of the European Commission, according to the mechanism called the Committee, the technical procedure through which the representatives of the Member States examine and approve the executive acts of the European Commission. Then we start, with a reaction in three phases.
The first tranche of duties, of 3.9 billion euros, will be operational from April 15. The second, which is around 13.5 billion, will enter into force the May 16. The last, from 3.5 billion, will start the December 1st. On most American products, 25%are applied. A lower percentage than those of which Washington and Beijing speak, but what makes the European response particularly significant is the extension of the product categories involved.
To end up in the sights are hundreds of American products, From agricultural to industrial assets, to the furniture and textile sector. The list is divided into four attachments. The first is what will start on April 15th and brings back to life the previous list of countermeasures adopted in 2018 and then suspended in 2021, With the exception of whiskey and Bourbon excluded at the end of long internal negotiations. It includes rice, cereals, fruit, juices, tobacco, fabrics, paper, ceramics, glass, mattresses, furnishing items and even fishing boats. The second and third attachment respond to the intensity of the American rates on primary aluminum (from 10% to 25%) and the expansion of measures to derivatives of steel and metallurgy. The fourth, which will start in December, includes sensitive products such as almonds and soybeans.
A “expanded” response that leaves room for diplomacy. Brussels, in making the countermeasures known, has in fact reiterated their willingness to suspend them “at any time”, if the United States accepted a “fair and balanced” negotiation. It is a clear signal: Brussels does not seek the clash, but it is not even willing to tolerate further unilateral commercial pressures. “I said to the American Chamber of Commerce at the EU that Europe is open to trade and investments. We negotiate, we do not tensions, to keep the EU-USA supply chains fluid and strong,” the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen wrote on the vote.
All as expected therefore, apart from the opposite vote of Hungary, which confirms its often divergent line in Europe. Now it remains to be seen how the response of the White House will be from here to April 15 or, as much as possible, to May 16th. If you manage to go to a table, beyond the declarations of President Trump: “The countries call me and kiss the Cu … they die to make agreements” …
