EU Prepares for Trade War with US

In a recent discussion at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis made it clear that the European Union is prepared to respond with counter tariffs should trade negotiations with the United States fail. This statement underscores the EU's readiness to protect its interests in the face of potential trade barriers.

Postponed Countermeasures

The EU had previously approved a package of countermeasures but chose to delay their implementation following a 90-day extension of tariffs by US President Donald Trump. This move has been seen as a gesture of goodwill, allowing more time for negotiations.

Call for Clarity

Dombrovskis emphasized the need for clearer expectations from the US side to avoid the imposition of additional tariffs. "We would welcome more clarity on the US side, on what are exactly [their] expectations and how we can arrive to the solutions without this imposition of additional tariffs," he stated, highlighting the EU's preference for a negotiated settlement over a trade dispute.