FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – The European Union (EU) on Monday proposed a 25 percent tariff on select U.S. products in response to President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose duties on European steel and aluminum imports, according to an internal document cited by Reuters and Bloomberg.
The proposed tariffs, set to take effect on May 16, target a wide range of goods, including diamonds, eggs, dental floss, sausages, and poultry. Items such as bourbon, wine, and dairy, initially considered for inclusion, have been removed from the final list.
European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic confirmed that a list of countermeasures had been circulated to EU member states. A vote on the first set of measures is scheduled for April 9, with implementation expected on April 15.
While emphasizing the EU’s preference for negotiation, Sefcovic underscored the bloc’s readiness to act decisively if talks fail. “We are prepared to use every tool in our trade defense arsenal to protect the EU single market, EU producers, and EU consumers,” he said.