European Commission Proposes 25% Tariffs on U.S. Products in Response to Trump’s Steel and Aluminum Tariff Decision

The European Commission has proposed imposing 25% tariffs on a range of American products in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s decision to reintroduce tariffs on steel and aluminum, according to a document obtained by Reuters.

The first wave of tariffs is expected to take effect on May 16, with a second wave scheduled for December 1, 2025. Notably, bourbon whiskey has been removed from the initial list previously considered by the EU.

A Mild but Clear Response from the Commission

The proposed tariffs will target a broad range of goods including diamonds, dental floss, sausages, nuts, and soybeans—marking a balanced but clearly targeted EU response to rising trade tensions with the United States.

Final List Leaves Out Bourbon

Well-known American products like bourbon, wine, and dairy—originally included in the March draft proposal—were ultimately left off the final list. Their removal is seen as an effort to avoid further escalation after Trump warned that such a move would trigger a 200% tariff on European alcoholic beverages.

Šefčovič: “Softer Than Initial Plans”

European Commission Vice President and trade chief Maros Sefcovič stated that the countermeasures adopted will have a smaller economic impact than initially estimated, which had been calculated at €26 billion ($28.45 billion).

The EU’s strategy appears aimed not at confrontation, but at maintaining a firm stance to defend European interests without further damaging transatlantic trade relations.

Von der Leyen: EU Ready to Defend Itself

Earlier, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s position: “Europe is always ready for a good deal. That remains on the table. But we are also prepared to respond with countermeasures and defend our interests. We will protect ourselves, including against indirect effects, through trade diversification.”

New Monitoring Task Force Established

As part of its response, the Commission has announced the creation of a task force to monitor imports, aiming to detect early signs of export redirection from third countries attempting to bypass U.S. trade barriers and enter the European market.

The tariff issue was also a central topic during von der Leyen’s recent meeting with representatives of the European steel and aluminum industry, as well as related manufacturing sectors. According to Commission sources, industry leaders stressed the need for new defensive measures beyond existing trade protection tools.

The EU is now actively seeking ways to shield its market from the potential fallout of a trade war with the U.S., at a time when transatlantic relations are once again under strain due to Washington’s trade policy.