【By Observer Net, Qi Qian】According to China Central Television news, US President Trump previously announced that starting from August 1, he would impose a 30% tariff on goods imported from the EU. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded by stating that the EU will continue to prepare countermeasures.
As the deadline of August 1 approaches, the EU stated on July 23 local time that if no trade agreement is reached with the US and the US tariffs on the EU take effect, the EU plans to quickly impose a 30% retaliatory tariff on nearly 100 billion euros worth of US goods. A source said that the EU is considering using the "Anti-Coercion Instrument" (ACI) to target US services trade.
On the same day, EU Trade Spokesperson Olov Gil told reporters: "To make our countermeasures clearer, more concise, and more powerful, we will merge List One and List Two into one." It is known that the first list targets 21 billion euros worth of US goods, which is currently suspended until August 6; the second list is worth 72 billion euros and awaits voting by all 27 member states.
Gil stated that the merged list will take effect on August 7, but the European Commission can suspend the implementation of these measures for a longer period.
"Our top priority is negotiations, and we will continue to prepare for all outcomes," Gil said. The EU's Trade Commissioner is scheduled to hold talks with US Commerce Secretary Raimondo later on Wednesday (23rd).
A source revealed that the affected US goods include Boeing aircraft, machinery, soybeans, American cars, and bourbon whiskey, among other industrial products, which will face a 30% tariff rate. Data shows that last year, the value of goods the US exported to the EU was 335 billion euros. This means that the EU's retaliatory tariffs will affect one-third of US exports to the EU.
After the release of the above information, the euro continued its decline, falling 0.3% to 1.1723 dollars on the day, leading the major currencies.
Olov Gil, EU Commission Spokesperson, European media photo
On July 12 local time, Trump announced that starting from August 1, he would impose a 30% tariff rate on Mexico and the EU.
Later, von der Leyen stated that the US move would harm the supply chains, businesses, and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. Von der Leyen also pointed out that the EU is "ready at any time" to continue efforts to reach an agreement with the US before August 1, "but at the same time, we will take all necessary measures to protect the EU's interests, including taking appropriate countermeasures when necessary."
Aside from general taxation, Trump also imposed a 25% tariff on imported cars and parts, and a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum. He also threatened to impose new tariffs on medicines and semiconductors as early as next month, and recently announced a 50% tariff on copper.
Trump's letter to von der Leyen on July 12 announcing the imposition of a 30% tariff, Social Media
European officials previously said that the EU is preparing a "four-pronged approach" to respond to Trump's tariffs, including sincere negotiations, preparation for countermeasures, coordination with other countries, and enhancing European competitiveness.
On the 23rd, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bensons said in an interview that the EU has not proposed any innovative plan like Japan. He said, "The progress of negotiations is better than ever, and I think we have made good progress in our negotiations with the EU. But as I said before, there are problems with collective action among the 27 EU countries." The day before (22nd), Trump announced two tariff agreements with the Philippines and Japan.
It is reported that as the EU announced its latest countermeasures, German and other EU member states are calling for a stronger stance against the US. An anonymous government official said that if no agreement is reached, Germany is willing to support the activation of the EU's ACI.
Previously, countries such as France have been urging Brussels to adopt a tougher stance in negotiations with the US. French President Macron even called for the use of the EU's most powerful "Anti-Coercion Instrument" (ACI) to target US services trade. The ACI would allow the European Commission to limit US companies' participation in EU public procurement or further restrict the operations of large tech companies in the EU.
Notably, the "Anti-Coercion Instrument" (ACI) came into effect at the end of 2023 but has never been used. Many see it as a "nuclear option" for the EU, and its ideal purpose should be to deter.
On July 22 local time, German Chancellor Scholz, after meeting with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in Berlin, told reporters: "We are now approaching the decisive stage of the US tariff dispute. We need a fair, reliable, low-tariff agreement." He added that without such an agreement, "we will face economic uncertainty, which is precisely what we do not need right now."
According to sources, the EU Commission is discussing with member states whether to use the ACI. Some member states have been pushing for the use of this tool, but most countries want to observe developments after August 1 before further discussing to secure the required majority support.
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