EU Fights US Steel Tariffs, Plans Retaliation Worth €93 Billion
The EU is pushing for a negotiated solution with the US over steel tariffs, with a proposal modelled after the US-Japan agreement. However, the US has shown no signs of reducing its 50% duties. Hungary was the only EU member state to oppose the plan, but the rest now support activating the anti-coercion instrument to counter US pressure.
The EU's response will be multi-phased. On 7 August, the first stage of countermeasures will come into effect. More measures will follow in September and February. If no agreement is reached, the EU will impose counter-tariffs from 7 August. A potential deal involves a 15% US tariff on key European sectors, not additional to existing baseline tariffs. The EU's response mirrors US tariffs in scale and sectoral coverage, with rates up to 30%.
On 7 August, 2025, EU member states collectively agreed to formally approve retaliation measures against US goods worth 93 billion euros. This came after rising tensions between the EU and the United States. Despite this, Brussels remains open to negotiations. Germany and France, in particular, have supported the anti-coercion instrument, with their leaders meeting to discuss the issue.
The EU's retaliation measures, worth €93 billion, targeting US goods, are set to come into force on 7 August. The EU continues to seek a negotiated solution, with a potential deal involving a 15% US tariff on key European sectors. The US, however, has yet to show signs of reducing its 50% duties on European steel.
