The EU unveils its anti-Trump measures

The Twenty-Seven gave their green light on Wednesday to the first set of tariffs designed by Brussels to respond to the trade war launched by US President Donald Trump.

The formal measure will enable the EU to adopt surcharges of 25% on 21 billion euros worth of imports from the US in retaliation for the 25% taxation on European steel and aluminium next Monday.

During a technical meeting in Brussels, member states supported the measure, with only Hungary voting against, according to diplomatic sources.

Hungarian Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, stated on social media that his country voted against the package because they believed tariffs weren't the solution and would further "damage" the European economy.

The package will be implemented in three stages (April, May, and December) and will cover a wide range of products, from basic goods such as eggs and toilet paper to steel and aluminium products, including textiles, cosmetics, and video games, for example.

With these countermeasures, the EU is responding to Washington's initial tariffs, but the response to the massive 20% tariffs on all imports and 25% on cars and components, which the EU's services are finalising and planning to present next week, and which will be activated in May if the US doesn't agree to negotiate a solution to the trade war, is not yet decided.

(MH with MaSi - Source: Agency - Photo: © Unsplash)