Brussels must prepare tailored countermeasures as Washington threatens higher auto tariffs, diplomats warn. Member states may need swift coordination to avoid sudden economic disruption.
Lithuania called on the European Union to prepare a response to new tariff threats from the United States after Donald Trump announced the possible rise in tariffs on cars from the EU. Economic and political analysts say that the EU should coordinate its actions and be prepared for an escalation of trade pressure.
“We must bear in mind that we will be in this game for the entire duration of Trump’s presidency. We need to find measures in response to these tariffs”
– said Vaitiekunas to journalists in Brussels
“We must negotiate”
– he stressed
“I believe that this process, which includes tariffs, negotiations and pressure from both sides, will be ongoing during this administration’s time in office”
– a government official noted
Reaction and actions by the EU in response
On Friday, May 1, Trump announced that he would increase tariffs on cars from the EU to 25%, accusing the bloc of not honoring the previous agreement.
The U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Grier said that, despite the reached agreement, the EU has not yet adjusted certain tariffs or rules. At the same time, the EU rejects these accusations and says it adheres to the terms of the agreements.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is due to meet with Grier in Paris today on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the G7 to discuss the ongoing trade disputes.
Under the agreement reached last year, U.S. tariffs on cars from the EU were cut to 15%, below the 25% rate applied to some other countries.
The head of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, Bernd Lange, called the 25-percent tariffs on EU cars unacceptable.
In the context of this situation, the EU is working to align responses to potential Washington moves and to support a united position during future negotiations at the international level.
Currently, the EU is preparing a response to potential U.S. actions and continues to consolidate its own position ahead of future trade dialogues, hoping to reduce tensions in international economic relations.