The European Union (EU) is reportedly considering building a joint response system with major trading partners in response to repeated tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. As bilateral negotiations with the United States have effectively reached a stalemate, the EU appears to be preparing a dual response strategy involving retaliatory tariffs and export controls while keeping the door open for negotiations.
On the 13th (local time), Bloomberg News reported, citing multiple sources, that the EU has recently shared updates with member countries on the ongoing situation regarding U.S. tariff pressures and is reviewing possibilities for coordination with other trading partners, such as Canada and Japan. The EU is expected to quickly deliver a draft on joint responses to each member country, discussing the scope and methods of retaliatory measures as well as the utilization of diplomatic channels.
On the same day, Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission President, met with reporters in Brussels, Belgium, and noted, "We have decided to postpone the EU's retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., originally set to take effect on the 14th, to early August," while emphasizing that "we are preparing new response measures."
Previously, the EU had formulated an initial retaliatory plan that involves imposing additional tariffs of 10% or 25% on major U.S. imports worth approximately 21 billion euros (about 33.9 trillion won), such as chicken, motorcycles, and clothing, in response to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the EU is also considering export control options valued at around 72 billion euros.
This movement is interpreted as a strategy in response to President Trump’s warning of maximum tariffs of 30% on EU imports starting in August. While leaving room for negotiations, the EU is accelerating preparations for retaliatory measures in case talks fail. Earlier, the U.S. announced reciprocal tariffs in April and recently sent a letter to the EU and Mexico, urging further negotiations with revised tariff rates. However, there is a sentiment among some that this should be taken as a final notice.
The mobilization of the EU's strongest trade retaliation tool, the Autonomous Trade Measures (ACI), has also been under consideration, but the EU has taken a cautious stance. The ACI allows for trade restrictions across various sectors, including services, foreign direct investment, and financial markets, if a third country threatens the EU. Commissioner von der Leyen directly rebutted, stating, "It is not yet an emergency situation that warrants activating the ACI."
However, voices have emerged in some countries calling for a more active review of the ACI. French President Emmanuel Macron asserted via social media that "practical preparations for responses, including the ACI, are necessary," while Germany's Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor, urged for stronger countermeasures, stating, "If a tariff of 30% is actually imposed on the automotive sector, Germany's export industry will face severe impacts."
Previously, the EU had limited agricultural tariffs to below 10% and requested limited exceptions for certain high-value industries, such as aircraft and medical devices. In response, President Trump proposed tariffs of 17% on EU agricultural products and up to 50% on steel and aluminum while inducing offset measures through tariff reductions based on investments in U.S. facilities for automobiles. However, it is reported that the EU is not considering this proposal due to concerns that it could lead to the transfer of automotive production bases to the U.S.
Currently, President Trump is also reviewing "sector-specific tailored tariffs" targeting major strategic industries, including automobiles and parts, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and copper, in addition to steel and aluminum. The EU is reportedly pursuing a strategy of directly negotiating with major import corporations in the U.S. while analyzing damage for each industry.
The EU Executive Committee plans to hold an additional meeting as early as this week to finalize its response strategy. However, among EU member countries, manufacturing-centric nations with high export reliance, such as Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland, are expected to face ongoing difficulties in reaching a final agreement due to concerns that a prolonged tariff war could burden the overall European economy.