Donald Trump threatens to withdraw the United States from NATO, slams European allies and clashes with UK PM Keir Starmer...
Read More
International-News
Trump leaning towards 15% tariffs? Europe prepares 93 billion in countermeasures
Agreement between Washington and Brussels hangs in the balance: tariffs on European goods remain a real threat. EU ready to respond from 7 August
Will tariffs on European goods imported into the United States ultimately be set at 15%? At the moment, no one can say for sure, except Donald Trump. The agreement reached between Brussels and Washington needs the US president’s signature to become effective.
Reasons for a possible no
Why might Trump decide to reject the agreement? Beyond the merits, which would already seem to favour US interests, there remains the possibility of a deliberate confrontation: allowing the tariffs to take effect on 1 August and then accepting European retaliation. This approach would turn the negotiations into an open trade war.
European concessions: a necessary choice
On the other hand, Europe has chosen to give in. After realising that reciprocity had become unrealistic, the goal was to limit the damage. So it accepted a formula that provides for 15% tariffs on European goods sold in the US, compared to minimal or zero tariffs (around 5%) for American products in Europe.
An advantage amplified by the exchange rate
The disparity is even more marked than the numerical difference between the rates suggests: the effect of the exchange rate further strengthens the American position. This makes the situation even more unbalanced and unsustainable for many European companies.
US demands: cars, drugs and chips in the crosshairs
That’s not all. Trump is pushing to further increase tariffs in three key sectors: cars, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. This is a proposal that Europe strongly rejects, under pressure mainly from Germany, France and Italy, the latter being heavily exposed on the pharmaceutical front.
The EU’s counter-move: 93 billion in counter-tariffs
While waiting for the American decision, Brussels is not standing still. The European Union is ready to launch a €93 billion response, with countermeasures that would take effect on 7 August in the event of no agreement.
The costs of the trade war
The only certainty, for now, is that the final cost of the trade war – whatever form it takes – will fall on businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.
THE LATEST NEWS
Trump says Iran requests ceasefire, but Tehran denies it
1 Aprile 2026
US president announces contacts on Iranian initiative; Islamic Republic rejects truce Tensions between the United States and Iran continue to...
Read More
Iran Revolutionary Guards Threaten Google, Meta, and Apple
31 Marzo 2026
Tehran warns that major U.S. tech firms could face attacks if more regime leaders are killed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard...
Read More
King Charles to meet Trump in US during April visit
31 Marzo 2026
Buckingham Palace confirms trip tied to 250th anniversary of American independence King Charles to meet Trump in US during April...
Read More
MF warns Iran war will raise prices and slow global growth
30 Marzo 2026
A report led by chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas outlines risks from energy shocks and limited fiscal space IMF warns Iran...
Read More
Israel approves death penalty for terrorists targeting Palestinians
30 Marzo 2026
Knesset passes law after lengthy debate; Palestinian Authority calls it a “dangerous escalation” Israel approves death penalty for terrorists targeting...
Read More
(Source and photo: © AndKronos)
