Posting on X, the European Commission responded to U.S. President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs, saying the EU must also “protect its consumers and businesses.”

In the EU commission’s official release, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said, “Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States.”

We regret the unjustified US 25% tariff on steel and aluminium imports.

The EU will protect its consumers and businesses.

We are launching swift, proportionate countermeasures worth up to €26 billion, matching the economic impact of the US tariffs.

More about our response ↓

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) March 12, 2025

Using a “carefully calibrated” two-step approach, the Commission’s response stated the following:

• First, the Commission will allow the suspension of existing 2018 and 2020 countermeasures against the US to lapse on 1 April. These countermeasures target a range of US products that respond to the economic harm done on €8 billion of EU steel and aluminum exports.
• Second, in response to new US tariffs affecting more than €18 billion of EU exports, the Commission is putting forward a package of new countermeasures on US exports. They will come into force by mid-April, following consultation of Member States and stakeholders.

The EU’s countermeasures, the release continued, “could therefore apply to US goods exports worth up to €26 billion, matching the economic scope of the US tariffs.”

Stressing the desire to reach a “negotiated solution,” the EU commission also added that “the abovementioned measures can be reversed at any time should such a solution be found.”

In a further statement at the end of the EU commission release, von der Leyen noted that “trade relations between the European Union and the US are the biggest in the world. They have brought prosperity and security to millions of people, and trade has created millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.”

She also stressed Brussels’ commitment to finding a resolution. 

“We firmly believe that in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs. We are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue. I have entrusted Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to resume his talks to explore better solutions with the US,” the Commission president wrote.