On Apr. 24, 2025, EU CMSN issued corrigendum to Finnish version of Reg 2025/778.
Concerns page 5, Article 3(2).
On Feb. 10, EC issued statement on potential imposition of US tariffs.
EU CMSN issued statement on potential imposition of US tariffs on EU steel/aluminum.
Overview
At this stage, no official notification received re imposition of extra tariffs on EU goods.
EC will not respond to broad announcements without details or written clarification.
EU sees no justification for imposition of tariffs on its exports; will react to protect the interests of European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified measures.
Imposition of tariffs would be unlawful and economically counterproductive, given deeply integrated production chains the EU/US established through transatlantic trade.
Tariffs are essentially taxes; by imposing tariffs, the US would be taxing its own citizens, raising costs for business, and fueling inflation; moreover, tariffs heighten economic uncertainty and disrupt efficiency and integration of global markets.
Feb. 11, 2025 Update
On Feb. 11, 2025, EU CMSN issued statement by President on announced US tariffs.
The President deeply regrets the US decision to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminum exports; tariffs are taxes, i.e. bad for business, worse for consumers.
Unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered, i.e. they will trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures; the EU will act to safeguard its economic interests.
Mar. 12, 2025 EU Countermeasures
On Mar. 12, 2025, EU CMSN issued statement on countermeasures on US steel and aluminium tariffs that were imposed by the United States on the same day.
US imposed tariffs of up to 25% on imports of steel, aluminium, and certain products containing steel and aluminium, from the European Union and other trading partners.
US tariffs will affect total of €26 billion of EU exports, around 5% of total EU goods exports to US, will result in US importers having to pay up to €6 bn extra tariffs.
In response, EU CMSN is launching a series of countermeasures to protect European businesses, workers, consumers from impact of these unjustified trade restrictions.
Reimposition of the suspended 2018 and 2020 rebalancing measures; and imposition of a new package of additional measures on the US to work in parallel with the former.
The objective of the additional countermeasures is to ensure the total value of EU measures corresponds to increased value of trade impacted by the new US tariffs.
Process to impose the additional countermeasures consists of stakeholder consultation on list of targeted products proposed by EU CMSN, from Mar. 12 to Mar. 26, 2025.
Covers industrial products including steel, aluminium, as well as agricultural products.
Commission will then consider inputs, finalize draft implementing act, consult member states on it, who will be invited to endorse proposed measures before their adoption.
In mid-April adoption process will conclude, act imposing countermeasures in force.
EU CMSN published a questions and answers document explaining countermeasures.
Apr. 2025 Statement on Universal Tariffs
On Apr. 3, 2025, EU CMSN announced the publication of a statement by President von der Leyen in response to the US announcement of universal tariffs.
Universal tariffs, including on the EU, is a serious threat to the global economy, risking increased protectionism, inflation, and harm to vulnerable populations and businesses.
No clear path through complexity and chaos being created as US trading partners hit.
In the past 80 years, trade between Europe and the US has created millions of jobs.
Agree with President Trump, that others are taking unfair advantage of current rules.
Will support efforts to make global trading system fit for reality of global economy.
The EU deeply regrets this move and stresses its readiness to negotiate, not escalate.
EU ready to negotiate with US, to remove remaining barriers to transatlantic trade.
Europe has the largest single market in the world - 450 million consumers - safe harbor in tumultuous times; Europe will stand at the side of those directly impacted.
Apr. 9, 2025 Countermeasures' Proposal Voted
On Apr. 9, 2025, EU CMSN informed that EU Member States voted in favor of the European Commission's proposal to introduce trade countermeasures against the US.
Once the EC's internal procedures are concluded, and the implementing act published, countermeasures will enter into force; duties will start being collected as of Apr. 15.
Countermeasures can be suspended, if the US agree to a fair negotiated outcome.
Apr. 10, 2025 EC President's Statement
On Apr. 10, 2025, EU CMSN issued statement by President Von Der Leyen saying EC took note of US President's announcement and wants to give negotiations a chance.
While finalizing the adoption of the EU countermeasures, strongly supported from the Member States, the EC will put them on hold for 90 days; all options are on the table.
Apr. 14, 2025 Implementing Acts
On Apr. 14, 2025, EU CMSN informed of adoption of two implementing acts: one that adopts the EU countermeasures, and another act that immediately suspends them.
The first implementing act imposes the EU response, i.e., it calibrates the 2018 measures by reducing the duty rate level to maximum 25% across the board.
And revising its scope; it introduces the new package of countermeasures to respond to the expansion of the US tariffs to new products and the increase on aluminium.
The second act suspends all adopted countermeasures until Jul. 14, 2025.
I.e., Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/778 of Apr. 14, 2025 on commercial rebalancing measures concerning certain products originating in the United States of America and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/886.
And, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/786 of Apr. 14, 2025 suspending commercial rebalancing measures concerning certain products originating in the United States imposed by Implementing Reg 2025/778 and amending Implementing Reg 2023/2882.
Apr. 24, 2025 Finnish Corrigendum
On Apr. 24, 2025, EU CMSN issued corrigendum to Finnish version of Reg 2025/778.
