Trump's increase in customs: EU under pressure - trade war threatens!

Trump's increase in customs: EU under pressure - trade war threatens!

USA - President Donald Trump has announced the doubling of the special tariffs to steel and aluminum imports from 25 to 50 percent. This decision is made in the middle of ongoing negotiations between the EU and the USA, which previously seemed promising. Talks between Trump and the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had indicated that an agreement was in sight, which makes the new announcement all the more surprising. The EU Commission has not yet responded to the increase in tariffs and instead focuses on negotiations.

The announcement takes place just a few weeks after the introduction of tariffs of 25 percent on steel and aluminum products that were effective on March 12, 2025. In response, the EU had already announced counter-tariffs to a variety of US products, including Bourbon Whiskey and video game consoles, which are due to come into force from April 2025. Donald Trump justifies the new tariffs as a measure to correct the commercial preservation weights and to strengthen the US steel industry. The United States argue that customs income should be used to finance tax cuts.

EU reactions and possible countermeasures

The European countries had already taken steps to introduce counter-tariffs between 10 and 25 percent in April to react to the US tariffs. Possible countermeasures could hit US manufacturers of jeans, motorcycles, beef and citrus fruits. The EU sees Trump's procedure critically and explains that its announcement does not correspond to the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In addition, the European steel industry has expressed concerns and expects negative effects on production and jobs.

global effects and trade war

The tariffs and the impending trade conflicts could have significant repercussions on the global economy. According to the Institute for the World Economy (IFW), the influence of tariffs on the European economy could be minimal, with a GDP reduction of only 0.02 percent. Nevertheless, the uncertainty remains high. It could lead to a comprehensive trade war, which affects not only the EU but also other countries.

In addition, price increases for consumers, which could significantly affect their purchasing power. Trade wars often lead to high import duties and the associated higher production costs for companies. This development can result in long -term consequences for trade relationships and economic development in developing countries. Experts warn that the probability of further trade restrictions increases without bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.

While the EU is currently unavoidable and possibly considering a deal with the expansion of American exports of liquefied gas, other countries such as Canada already show reaction measures. Thus, this new customs increase could not only burden the US-EU relationships, but also have far-reaching effects on the international trade landscape.