EU Retaliation Begins April 15 with Two-Stage Tariffs Targeting US After $5 Trillion Market Hit

The European Union will launch retaliatory tariffs against the US in two stages, starting April 15 and continuing with a second round on May 15, according to EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. The move comes in response to the 20% US tariffs on EU goods, a policy that has rattled financial markets and triggered fears of a broader global trade war.

Speaking after a meeting with trade ministers from all 27 EU member states, Šefčovič stressed the EU remains open to negotiations but warned that patience has limits. “We won’t wait forever,” he said, adding that the EU’s reaction is measured, not retaliatory.

The EU Commission has drafted a comprehensive countermeasure plan, which was circulated to member states late Monday. A formal vote on the response to US tariffs on steel and aluminum is scheduled for April 9. Under EU decision rules, the plan will pass unless it’s rejected by 15 member countries representing 65% of the population.

Despite the escalation, officials from across the bloc still favor a diplomatic solution. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s zero-tariff offer on industrial goods, which predates the recent US actions. “These tariffs hurt American consumers and businesses first,” she warned, calling for a return to the negotiating table.

Polish Deputy Minister Baranowski highlighted the toll on US markets, noting that over $5 trillion in value was wiped out within days, making tariffs a self-defeating strategy for Washington.

Meanwhile, German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck urged further exploration of the EU’s anti-coercion toolkit, suggesting that tech-sector taxation could be on the table if tensions persist.

The EU continues to strengthen its global trade partnerships while standing ready to act. The message from Brussels is clear: dialogue remains the goal, but countermeasures are locked and loaded.