EU Plans $113B in Tariffs on US Exports if Trade Talks Fail

The European Union is preparing to impose tariffs on around €100 billion ($113.26 billion) worth of U.S. goods if current trade negotiations between the two sides fail to produce a satisfactory outcome. The plan, which has not been publicly disclosed, is expected to be shared with EU member states as early as Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The proposed measures are designed as a strategic counterweight in case talks with the United States break down. Although the EU continues to engage in negotiations aimed at resolving trade disputes and addressing key issues like subsidies, digital services taxation, and industrial policy, officials are reportedly growing increasingly concerned about the lack of meaningful progress.

Once shared, the draft tariff list will undergo a formal consultation process among EU member states, lasting roughly one month. During this time, national governments will review and potentially recommend adjustments before any final version is confirmed. The exact scope of the U.S. goods targeted has not been revealed, but similar past measures have included products ranging from agricultural items and consumer goods to industrial components and vehicles.

The potential tariffs would represent one of the largest retaliatory trade measures considered by the EU in recent years, reflecting both the scale of economic interests involved and the bloc’s desire to maintain leverage in negotiations with Washington. The outcome of these trade discussions could have wide-reaching implications not only for transatlantic relations but also for global supply chains and markets already facing pressure from inflation and geopolitical instability.

The European Commission, which handles trade policy on behalf of the EU, is expected to finalize the tariff list following member-state consultations. However, whether the tariffs are implemented will ultimately depend on the progress—or lack thereof—made in the ongoing talks with U.S. counterparts.

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