Trump's customs shock: EU reacts to dramatic trade threat!

Trump's customs shock: EU reacts to dramatic trade threat!

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will introduce tariffs of 25 percent on imports from the European Union. This happened during a cabinet session in which Trump described the decision as necessary in order to act against the alleged exploitation of the United States by the EU. "We made a decision. We will announce it very soon," said Trump and emphasized that the tariffs should apply to both cars and other goods. This announcement ensures concern in Europe because it ties in with the current tensions between the USA and the EU. rhein-zeitung.de reported that Trump is currently arranging the tariff increases where the USA have lower tariffs than their trading partners. The tariffs are not yet in force and Trump has commissioned his team to work out the specific measures.

reactions to the announced tariffs are quickly carried out. Stéphane Séjourné, Vice President of the European Commission, said that Europe would react "immediately and determined". He also underlined that trade restrictions between partners are unjustified and ultimately damage to consumers. Trump's announcement is based on a familiar strategy of the president of using customs threats as a negotiation tactic. He had already threatened similar measures against the import of cars from the EU

transatlantic relationships under pressure

The debate on the effects of these customs increases also runs in the European Parliament. After Trump's re-election in November 2024, leading EU MPs emphasized the importance of continuing transatlantic cooperation. On February 12, 2025, a session took place in which the customs threats of the Trump government were dealt with. Adam Szłapka, Polish Minister of European Affairs, spoke out for an open and fair international trade. Maroš Šefčovič from the European Commission criticized the US tariffs as harmful to companies and consumers and pointed out the possibility of counter-tariffs that Bernd Lange, the chairman of the Committee on International Trade. Sophie Wilmès, deputy chair of the parliamentary delegation for relationships with the USA, also emphasized the importance of a deterrent against tariffs.

The German economy, for example, is particularly sensitive to customs conflicts, since automotive construction is one of the most important industrial sectors. A trade conflict could significantly hinder the economic recovery of Germany after the Corona crisis, where tariffs on cars and auto parts were identified as a risk factor before the crisis. Wirtschaftsdienst.eu could endanger economic stability in the future.