According to the European Union, discussions with the US on the additional tariffs are still in the “early stages.”
However, it also stated that it is finalizing a list of countermeasures following the taxes on steel and aluminum.
The EU is “in early stages of discussions” with the US, according to Maroš �efčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency. However, he said that the situation is complex “because the US view tariffs not as a tactical step, but as a corrective measure.”
“We will not weigh endlessly until we see tangible progress, even though the EU remains open to and strongly prefers negotiations,” he stated.
According to him, the EU has created a “robust list of countermeasures” regarding steel and aluminum following input from over 600 stakeholders.
It was reported that he told reporters on Monday, “After carefully reviewing all of it, we have worked to table a robust list of countermeasures, while balancing the burden across all member states, and we will be sending the final list and tariff levels to them later today.”
“Duties on products will begin on April 15 for the first set of measures and on May 15 for the remaining ones after the vote is scheduled for April 9 and the final list is adopted on April 15.”
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, spoke with representatives of the metals industry on Monday and will later address the automotive industry about how to react to US tariffs.
To plan additional countermeasures beyond Brussels’ impending response to Washington’s previously announced steel levies, which will be put to a vote later this week, the conversations are intended to gather more data.
On Tuesday, the European pharmaceutical industry will participate in a third call.