The European Union move on to the facts: i Twenty -seven (or rather, i Twenty -sixgiven the opposition of theHungary) approved the commercial countermeasures In response to American duties onsteel and toaluminum. The overall amount is of 20.9 billion euros (against the 28 billion which should collect the American treasure from the new rates), divided into four phases: duties for 3.9 billion Starting from April 15thfurther 13.5 billion from the May 15th and finally 3.5 billion from the December 1st. The rates will vary between the 10% and the 25%depending on the products.
Unlike the policy adopted by the Administration of Donald Trumpwhich affects everything and everyone without distinctions, the European strategy is more surgical: maximum lever on Americans with the least possible damage for European companies. Also for this reason they were removed from the old list on whiskey and the bourbon (after the threats of retaliation by Trump for the 200%). In the sights of Brussels therefore end not only steel And aluminum But other key sectors such as agri -food, cosmetics, textile And industrial goods.
“Europe He is open to trade and investments, “the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der leyenmeeting the representatives of the American companies at the US Chamber of Commerce in the EU. «We negotiate, we do not feed the tensions, to maintain fluid and solid the supply chains Between EU And USA. Invest here, benefit here, “he added, also underlining the commitment of the Commission To simplify the rules and strengthen the Single market.
The Commission specified that the countermeasures they can be suspended at any time, if you arrive at a negotiating agreement “fair And balanced»With Washington. However, theUnion he decided to act considering i U.S. duties “unjustified And harmful»Not only for theEuropean economybut also for that global.
In the sights then end up corn, rice, legumes, fruit juices, Preserves of vegetables, dried fruit And seedstogether with worked tobacco, cigars And alternative products to nicotine. For daily consumption, duties are planned on cosmetics, essential oils, Personal care products, Textile articles as t-shirt, shirts And sheet, footwear And umbrella.
THE’industry It is hit with measures on steel laminates, pipes, bar, fittings And metal structuresbeyond artifacts And Aluminum items. Finally, they also fall into the list cutlery, hardware And kitchen items. There is no shortage of references to strategic sectors: the soycoming in particular from states like the Louisianafiefdom of the room speaker Mike Johnsonis already the subject of retaliation by other countries. There beef and the poultrycentral sectors for states by republican majority such as Nebraska And Kansas. Brussels also focused on industrial productslike ovens, stoves, freezers And tosaerbaassets for which theUnion he believes he can count on valid internal alternatives. The iconic Harley-Davidson motorcyclesalready a target of previous European countermeasures, are again among the affected products, with Brussels encouraged the consumption of Made in Europe alternatives (also Italian). And again: the sector of woodfundamental for US economies such as Georgia, Virginia And Alabama. The worked wood is considered a strategic input for the US manufacturing.
Now you look forward. The intention is negotiate But at the same time others are prepared countermeasures To respond to the so -called mutual duties and those on thecar that toEuropean Union they cost beyond 50 billion euros (to be added to 28). Nothing is excluded, including the use of Anti-Coetwork tool (that journalists call the bazooka) which would limit the European market for American companies affecting in particular the big tech. However there is the fear that theEuropean unit It does not hold. In particular the France expressed concern about the possibility that the president of the Italian Council, Giorgia Meloniin his visit to the White house – The April 17th – games more for theItaly than for the rest of the Continent. “There is a risk but if we divide we will lose strength,” has warned the Minister of the French Industry, Marc Ferracci.
The leader of the European Popular Party, Manfred Weberwho expressed support to Melonsdefining it “rooted in the European perspective»And underlining his I commit to defend the European interests also in relations with Washington.