EU Prepares Countermeasures Against US Import Tariffs and Tech Firms

The European Union (EU) has announced a wide range of options to retaliate against potential US tariffs on imports and measures targeting global tech companies. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, stated on February 1, 2025, that the EU would use countermeasures if President Donald Trump enacts his threat to impose so-called reciprocal tariffs on the EU block this week. ‘We do not necessarily want to take countermeasures,’ von der Leyen said on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. ‘If necessary, we have a strong plan for countermeasures and we will use it.’ The US plans to impose sweeping tariffs on global partners starting from Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Trump claims these actions will address what he perceives as unfair tariffs and non-tariff barriers, such as domestic regulations and how countries collect taxes, including the EU’s Value-Added Tax (VAT). The EU insists its VAT is a fair tax without discrimination, applied equally to both domestic and imported goods. France and other nations have called on trade officials to consider using anti-coercion measures, a tool designed to target countries employing coercive trade and economic measures. Such actions could lead to trade and service restrictions, intellectual property rights, foreign direct investments, and access to public contracts, according to Bloomberg. Von der Leyen emphasized the goal is to find a negotiated solution once the reciprocal tariffs are announced. These tariffs are expected to be enforced alongside additional 25% tariffs on all cars imported into the US and 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports globally. The EU is preparing countermeasures worth up to €26 billion against American products, according to Bloomberg. Von der Leyen highlighted that Europe’s strength lies not only in trade but also in technology, touching on the significance of European firms for major American tech companies, which the EU might target in retaliation. The Commission could leverage various legal tools to restrict access to government contracts or digital advertising sales in a market valued at approximately €100 billion. ‘Europe holds many cards,’ von der Leyen stated. ‘From trade to technology and the size of our market. But this power also relies on our readiness to take decisive countermeasures. All tools are on the table.’