Trump announces escalation of trade war with EU: 'We will respond to tariffs'

The European Commission has announced plans to impose tariffs on €26 billion worth of US goods in response to US tariffs on steel and aluminium. US President Donald Trump has said the US will respond to the measures.

Trump's meeting with the Irish prime minister

Donald Trump met with Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin at the White House on March 12, 2025. During the conversation, he was asked about how the United States would respond to the decision of the European Union, which announced the introduction of retaliatory tariffs in response to American restrictions on steel and aluminum. Trump replied: "Of course we will respond." The president added that the new tariffs that the United States will impose on the EU will also apply to Ireland, because according to him, the country "has taken over the entire American pharmaceutical industry" through its tax policies and "stupid politicians" in the United States.

Trump's Plans for April 2, 2025

Trump recalled that on April 2, he plans to introduce new tariffs aimed at equalizing differences in tariff rates applied by other countries. The president also raised the issue of possible tariffs on car imports. In response to a question about the variability of decisions on trade issues, Trump explained that it is not a lack of consistency, but rather "flexibility". He added that April 2 will be a breakthrough day for the United States, which will regain what was "stolen from it by other countries" and "incompetent leadership in America".

Steel and aluminum tariffs come into effect

On Tuesday night (5 a.m. Polish time), 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imported to the U.S. went into effect. These tariffs apply to goods from all countries, including European Union member states.

European Commission's response to US tariffs

The European Union reacted immediately to the move. The European Commission announced that in response to the American decision, it would impose retaliatory tariffs on US goods worth 26 billion euros. The measures will come into effect in April, in two stages. First, the EU will renew tariffs on products from Trump's first term, and then introduce new restrictions, including beef and sugar. Details of the list have not yet been disclosed.

Ursula von der Leyen on the harmfulness of customs duties

"We regret this decision. Tariffs are in fact taxes that harm both businesses and consumers," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.

Possibilities of a European Union counterattack

Professor Łukasz Goczek from the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the University of Warsaw pointed out that the Union could not ignore the actions of the USA. According to him, the lack of response from the European Union would only strengthen the position of the USA. The economist also emphasized that despite the surplus in trade in goods (over 150 billion dollars in favor of the EU), the United States achieves a more favorable balance in services, with a surplus exceeding 100 billion dollars.

EU Strategy Towards US Service Providers

The European Union, however, has the option of striking back by targeting American service providers operating in the European market, such as streaming platforms, social media giants and technology providers. "This could be a powerful weapon in this trade war," Professor Goczek added.