Euractiv reports that EU member states overwhelmingly approved retaliatory tariffs on 22 billion euros worth of American goods. The reason for this is Donald Trump's sharp increase in tariffs on imports from the United States in global trade.
Twenty-six of the bloc's 27 member states voted to impose "balanced" 10-25% tariffs on several American goods, including cigarettes, motorcycles, poultry, steel, and aluminum. Only Hungary, whose leader Viktor Orban is a staunch Trump ally, voted against the tariffs.
The tariffs, imposed in response to Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum last month, will be implemented in three phases this year.
"The EU considers the US tariffs unjustified and destructive, causing economic harm to both parties and the global economy," the European Commission said.
The first set of tariffs will take effect on April 15, with the bulk of the duties applied from May 16. Tariffs on other products, including soybeans and nuts, will take effect on December 1.
