The European Union has released its list of American products that will be hit with retaliatory tariffs if trade negotiations with the United States do not succeed.

The list, which includes over 400 items, features American toilet paper, eye makeup, cigars and tobacco products, as well as men’s and women’s clothing. Most of these imports would be subject to additional customs duties of 25%.

The EU’s measures were originally set to take effect today as retaliation for the steep rise in U.S. tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports. However, the 27-country bloc has postponed the countermeasures for 90 days, until July 14, after the U.S. also delayed the imposition of so-called reciprocal tariffs.

According to EU estimates based on official U.S. trade data from 2023, the top five American export categories to the EU are: oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and medicines, aerospace products and parts, medical equipment and supplies, and motor vehicles.

So far, the U.S. has slapped 25% tariffs on EU steel and aluminum, as well as 25% levies on cars. Regarding President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” 20% tariffs on all other goods from the bloc, these have been reduced to 10% for a 90-day period.

“We Expect Additional Commitments from the U.S.,” Says the Commission

Meanwhile, trade negotiations between the EU and the U.S. are continuing at a technical level, according to Commission spokesperson Olof Gill, speaking today from Brussels.

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met yesterday in Washington with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jameson Greer in another attempt to reach an agreement. The EU still hopes for a trade deal with the U.S., “making full use of the 90-day window to reach a mutual solution on the unjustified tariffs,” Šefčovič posted on X after meeting his American counterparts.

The Commission’s spokesperson said today that the EU expects “substantive talks” to begin and stressed that “a higher level of commitment from the U.S. side will be necessary to reach an agreement.” However, he made it clear that in its effort to strike a deal, the EU will not compromise on European standards regarding food safety — “these are not up for negotiation with the U.S. or anyone,” emphasized Olof Gill — nor on EU regulations concerning technology and the digital market.

Closing In

Regarding agri-food products, the Commission’s spokesperson stated that in 2023 the EU imported €12 billion worth of agri-food goods from the U.S., noting that such imports have increased by 77% since 2005.

On the issue of cars, Olof Gill reminded that the EU has made it clear it wants to find “the best possible solution” through an agreement for “zero tariffs” on both sides of the Atlantic — something the Commission believes would create “huge opportunities for car manufacturers on both sides.”

“The EU remains constructive and ready for a fair agreement — including mutual reciprocity through our 0-for-0 tariff offer on industrial goods and efforts to address non-tariff barriers. Achieving this goal will require significant joint effort from both sides,” Trade Commissioner Šefčovič wrote on X following his meeting with U.S. officials in Washington.

The EU and the U.S. now have three months (90 days) to reach an agreement. If not, the so-called retaliatory tariffs will come into force, along with the first round of European countermeasures. On Monday, April 14, the EU officially published both its trade countermeasures and the suspension of those measures in two separate legal acts.