On April 3rd, the American Administration unveiled its list of sweeping tariffs, revealing that the European Union would be targeted with a blanket 20% customs fee on its exports. While expected, the news still came as a shock. Since then, all institutions and member states have discussed the matter, getting ready to respond. First, through negotiation and, should that fail, with countermeasures. Find below the timeline for this week of turmoil. The first so far.
April 3rd | European Commission
In a speech, President Ursula Von Der Leyen stated that "It is not too late to address concerns through negotiations" but "we are now preparing for further countermeasures, to protect our interests and our businesses"
Her Commissioner for trade, Maroš Šefčovič, said on the same day that "the EU will respond in a calm, carefully phased, and above all, unified way, as we calibrate our response", highlighting that they should give negotiations every chance to succeed but will not stand idly, if they are unable to reach a fair deal with their American partners.
April 3rd | European Parliament
Chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, Bernd Lange (S&D, DE), called the US tariffs “Unjustified, illegal and disproportionate”. He noted that "the EU will respond. We will do so through legal, legitimate, proportionate and decisive measures. As the EU, we will consider which of the tools at our disposal are best suited for our response. We are not backing down. We will defend our sovereignty and we will not change legislation that we have shaped democratically and in the interest of EU citizens, even if this displeases some US billionaires"
April 7th | European Commission
President Ursula Von Der Leyen, during a speech with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre, revealed that the Commission had offered "zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods as we have successfully done with many other trading partners. Because Europe is always ready for a good deal". She also outlined that an ‘Import Surveillance Task Force' will be set, working with the European industry to minimise effects of potential countermeasures on each other.
The offer has since then been refused by the American administration.
April 7th | European Council
EU Trade Ministers and Commissioner Šefčovič held a discussion on the EU's trade relations with the US, they assessed the impact of these new tariffs and explored the potential for negotiating mutually acceptable solutions, which remains the EU’s preferred approach. They stressed however that they would "not wait endlessly". Until there is tangible progress to be seen, the Commission will work on countermeasures, diversification and deterrence.
Additionally, the Council reviewed the current state and future outlook of EU-China trade relations. Commissioner Šefčovič briefed ministers on the status of the EU's trade ties with China following his visit to the country. He reported on his discussions with Vice Premier He Lifeng, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, and Minister of Customs Sun Meijun, focusing on how to improve and rebalance trade and investment relations between the EU and China.
April 7th | European Parliament
The European Parliament announced that a delegation for relations with the United States will travel to the US capital on the 9th to the 11th of April for talks with representatives of the US Congress. Discussions are expected to centre on developments in Europe as well as on bilateral trade, EU-NATO cooperation, the future of transatlantic ties, and relations with China.
April 8th | European Commission
President Ursula Von Der Leyen held a call with Premier Li Qiang to discuss the state of EU-China relations, as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. In response to the widespread disruption caused by the US tariffs, she stressed the responsibility of Europe and China, as two of world's largest markets, to support a strong reformed trading system, free, fair and founded on a level playing field. The leaders discussed setting up a mechanism for tracking possible trade diversion and ensuring any developments are duly addressed.
April 9th | European Commission
EU Member States voted in favour of the European Commission's proposal to introduce trade countermeasures against the United States. The Commission's proposal was made in response to the March decision by the US to impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium from the EU.
The EU declared that the US tariffs were unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy, and stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the US, which would be balanced and mutually beneficial.
Today's vote of approval by Member States means that – once the Commission's internal procedures are concluded, and the implementing act published – countermeasures will enter into force. Duties will start being collected as of April 15th.These countermeasures can be suspended at any time, if the US agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome.
April 10th | European Commission
Following the announcement from the American Administration that all blanket tariffs were reduced to 10% for the next 90 days, Commission President Von Der Lyen issued a statement resuming the current mood of the Commission:
We want to give negotiations a chance. While finalising the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our Member States, we will put them on hold for 90 days.If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in.Preparatory work on further countermeasures continues.
As I have said before, all options remain on the table.
Ecu Radio will continue to follow the latest developments in the Trade War and report accordingly. True to its roots, negotiations have been and will stay the EU’s preferred approach. They have however proven unsuccessful so far, leading to intensifed diversification of partners, including China, and the study of countermeasures.
Ecu Radio needs your support
Ecu Radio is an independent news website and podcast show, run full-time by a single dedicated contributor (for now). Support our work, get exclusive perks and help keep us going, starting from only 3€ per month. Let's unleash Europe's potential together!
