EU Promises Tariff Retaliation Or Something

These would be the same nations still paying a boatload to import Russian natural gas, right?

EU ‘Holds Lot of Cards,’ Vows Tariff Retaliation vs. US

A top European Union official warned the U.S. on Tuesday that the world’s biggest trade bloc “holds a lot of cards” when it comes to dealing with the Trump administration’s new tariffs and has a good plan to retaliate if forced to.

President Donald Trump has promised to roll out taxes on imports from other countries on Wednesday. He says they will free the U.S. from reliance on foreign goods.

He’s vowed to impose “reciprocal” tariffs to match the duties that other countries charge on U.S. products, dubbing April 2 “Liberation Day.”

“Europe has not started this confrontation. We do not necessarily want to retaliate, but if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to retaliate and we will use it,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU lawmakers.

The thing is, EU nations already have tariffs on imported American goods. Like 25% on orange juice, motorcycles, peanut butter, and bourbon. 50% on dairy. 10% on US cars. The US only has a 2.5% tariff on EU vehicles. All Trump is looking for is equitable free trade. Especially since the US has essentially protected Europe since the end of WWII.

Canada is much like the EU

Let’s be really honest here.

Canada loves tariffs.

They just hate Americans. pic.twitter.com/vE6TmmCfKV

— Uncle Milty’s Ghost (@his_eminence_j) March 28, 2025

Here’s the thing, though: I think tariffs at this time are a bad idea. Trump is thinking like a businessman. And in the business world companies get in pissing matches. And they mostly put aside their feelings for the good of the business. Doesn’t mean they won’t retaliate later. But, the Trump admin is mostly dealing with politicians, bureaucrats, and diplomats, who let their Butthurt get in the way of rational decisions, and get their backs all up in a dander. Trump and his people should take a year or so and have discussions, see if they can get traction. If not, then tariff away.

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