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The American president is getting tough with Brussels, deeming trade negotiations to be at an impasse. Europe retaliates by preparing taxes on 95 billion euros of American imports.
Trade tensions between Washington and Brussels are escalating. On Friday May 23, Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social network that he was “recommending 50% tariffs starting June 1” on European products. The American president justified this threat by saying that “it’s very difficult to negotiate” with the European Union, and that current discussions “aren’t going anywhere”.
This statement immediately sent shockwaves through the financial markets. European stock markets fell on Friday afternoon, particularly the luxury goods and automotive sectors. Wall Street also opened in negative territory.
France advocates de-escalation
Laurent Saint-Martin, France’s Minister of Foreign Trade, was quick to respond on X, saying: “We’re maintaining the same line: de-escalation, but we’re ready to respond. This position illustrates the European strategy of favoring dialogue while preparing countermeasures.
The European Union had already raised its voice on May 8, threatening to tax some €95 billion of American imports if negotiations to resolve the trade war initiated by Donald Trump failed.
Europe prepares its response
The European Commission has launched a “public consultation” on a long list of American products likely to be hit by European tariffs. This list includes strategic sectors such as automobiles and aeronautics, but also extends to electrical equipment, batteries and household appliances.
The agri-food sector is not spared, with agricultural products (fruit, vegetables) and spirits including wines and American bourbon. These imports “could be subject to retaliatory measures” if the US maintains its surtaxes on European exports at the end of the current negotiations.
L’annonce de Trump d’augmenter de 50 % les droits de douane sur l’UE est, j’en suis certain, la conséquence d’une blessure narcissique : Trump n’a pas digéré l’accord signé par un consortium européen pour l’exploitation des minerais au Groenland, terre qu’il considère comme… pic.twitter.com/aY0Rv94lDa
— Rafik Smati (@RafikSmati) May 23, 2025
🚨 Trump menace de doubler les droits de douane de l’Europe 🇪🇺 !
Washington veut réduire son déficit commercial de 192 milliards € avec l’UE.
Il veut des concessions UNILATÉRALES de l’Europe :
👉 Baisse des droits de douane Européens SANS réciprocité américaine
👉… pic.twitter.com/EyFGohn4rm— MoneyRadar (@MoneyRadar_FR) May 23, 2025
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