Politics European Union to launch dispute against U.S. tariffs with World Trade Organization

[Zincwarrior]

This is the first step for the EU to legally impose counterpenalties against Trump's tariffs.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/08/european-union-dispute-against-us-tariffs-world-trade-organization.html

The European Union’s executive arm on Thursday said it would launch a dispute with the World Trade Organization over the U.S.’s “reciprocal” tariff policy.

The European Commission also said it had launched a public consultation on a list of U.S. imports potentially subject to countermeasures.

“It is the unequivocal view of the EU that these [U.S.] tariffs blatantly violate fundamental WTO rules,” the European Commission said in a statement.

“The EU’s objective is thus to reaffirm that internationally agreed rules matter, and these cannot be unilaterally disregarded by any WTO member, including the US.”

In a press conference on Wednesday, European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said the EU’s main focus was negotiating a deal to avoid President Donald Trump’s 20% reciprocal tariffs on all U.S. imports from the bloc.

However, Sefcovic added that EU continued to “prepare for any scenario.”

The EU has paused an initial set of retaliatory measures — a response to U.S. duties of 25% on steel and aluminum — to enable negotiations. The countermeasures, if implemented, will target around 21 billion euros ($24.1 billion) worth of U.S. goods ranging from agricultural products to clothing, chiefly with a tariff rate of 25%.

Trump has also slapped a 25% tariff on all imported vehicles, hitting many European automakers.

 

[Darkwind]

Tell them to pound sand. They do not have a legal right to rip off the United States.

 

[shockedcanadian]

The WTO as the WHO has just become an arm of China now. They uave been toothless in the face of decades of Chinese abuses.

 

[Zincwarrior]

Tell them to pound sand. They do not have a legal right to rip off the United States.

Thats not whats happening. Both the US and EU are members of the WTO. In a trade dispute a country takes it to the WTO first. Then they put in their own tariffs as penalties. What is happening is the EU is setting up their own counter tariff scheme to the US.

 

[Darkwind]

Thats not whats happening. Both the US and EU are members of the WTO. In a trade dispute a country takes it to the WTO first. Then they put in their own tariffs as penalties. What is happening is the EU is setting up their own counter tariff scheme to the US.

There is no dispute. The fact remains, the EU has significant tariffs against the US while the US has allowed them to rip us off.

It is beyond time that changes. Either trade with the US fairly, or pay the price.

 

[Zincwarrior]

There is no dispute. The fact remains, the EU has significant tariffs against the US while the US has allowed them to rip us off.

It is beyond time that changes. Either trade with the US fairly, or pay the price.

That will occur both ways presently. There are no winners in trade wars.

 

[Dekster]

This is the first step for the EU to legally impose counterpenalties against Trump's tariffs.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/08/european-union-dispute-against-us-tariffs-world-trade-organization.html

The European Union’s executive arm on Thursday said it would launch a dispute with the World Trade Organization over the U.S.’s “reciprocal” tariff policy.

The European Commission also said it had launched a public consultation on a list of U.S. imports potentially subject to countermeasures.

“It is the unequivocal view of the EU that these [U.S.] tariffs blatantly violate fundamental WTO rules,” the European Commission said in a statement.

“The EU’s objective is thus to reaffirm that internationally agreed rules matter, and these cannot be unilaterally disregarded by any WTO member, including the US.”

In a press conference on Wednesday, European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said the EU’s main focus was negotiating a deal to avoid President Donald Trump’s 20% reciprocal tariffs on all U.S. imports from the bloc.

However, Sefcovic added that EU continued to “prepare for any scenario.”

The EU has paused an initial set of retaliatory measures — a response to U.S. duties of 25% on steel and aluminum — to enable negotiations. The countermeasures, if implemented, will target around 21 billion euros ($24.1 billion) worth of U.S. goods ranging from agricultural products to clothing, chiefly with a tariff rate of 25%.

Trump has also slapped a 25% tariff on all imported vehicles, hitting many European automakers.

How dare the EU follow proper procedures. That is not very MAGA of them. We should boycott French Fries or waffles or something.