The European Commission, which initially planned to address the United States’ new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum in two phases, has revised its approach. It will now unveil its complete retaliation strategy in mid-April, instead of rolling out an initial set of measures on April 1, followed by a second set two weeks later.
President Donald Trump has indicated that a new round of tariffs will be announced on April 2, stating, “It’ll be 25% generally speaking and that will be on cars and all other things,” during a speech on February 26. In light of this, Brussels has opted to take a more comprehensive look at the American actions before formulating its response.
Additionally, several EU member states advocated for this revised timeline. France led the charge, joined by Italy, Spain, and Ireland. The first set of retaliatory measures, which included higher tariffs on bourbon, provoked a strong reaction from Trump, who threatened to impose “200%” tariffs on European wines, champagnes, and spirits in retaliation.
See more: Macron Announces the EU will Impose Tariffs on U.S. Steel and Aluminum.
In this context, major European alcoholic beverage producers have deemed it crucial to delay any new measures. It remains uncertain whether American bourbon will still be included in the Commission’s package when it is revealed in mid-April. The EU has emphasized its intention to carefully consider its retaliatory actions to minimize any negative impact on its member states, all of which are expected to advocate for their own interests.
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