These products you use every morning will now be more expensive: Europe imposes punitive tariffs on basic items
The European Union will hit back with retaliatory tariffs on the United States if they do not come to an agreement. These everyday items could be affected.
President Donald Trump recently paused his newly implemented “reciprocal” tariffs for 90 days, rolling back the rate to a universal 10% (with the exception of China, which is now facing a 125% tariff on its imports).
Trade groups have been pleased with the pause but remain cautious, emphasizing that Trump’s approach still creates long-term instability for global trade.
BREAKING TARIFF UPDATES:
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) April 15, 2025
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EU threatens retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods amid trade tensions
The European Union is threatening to place retaliatory tariffs on 1,700+ U.S. products if trade talks with the United States fail. This was the EU’s response to the United States’ tariffs on EU steel, aluminum (25%), and cars (also 25%), as well as Trump’s broader “reciprocal” tariff policy.
However, the EU’s 27 countries delayed enforcement of their tariffs for 90 days (until July 14) after Trump announced the temporary reduction of his reciprocal tariffs to 10%. According to data from 2023, the EU’s top imports from the U.S. include oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, aerospace parts, medical supplies, and motor vehicles.
While they are delaying enforcement, the EU still released its list of 1,700+ U.S. products which could face the retaliatory tariffs, and they include items you likely use almost every day. Here are just a few:
- toilet paper
- eye makeup
- cigars
- tobacco
- clothing
Each of these items (and around 400 more) could see 25% tariffs starting mid-July, with the rest (another 1,300 or so) potentially taxed later.
French minister Francois Bayrou said Tuesday that the U.S.’s trading partners are being forced to take these measures which are “themselves dangerous”.
“The president of the United States has unleashed a hurricane – whose consequences will not disappear anytime soon – by firing the starting gun on a global trade war without warning overnight, imposing unimaginable customs duties,” he said.
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