Commission consults on possible countermeasures and readies WTO litigation in response to US tariffs

European Commission - Press release Commission consults on possible countermeasures and readies WTO litigation in response to US tariffs Brussels, 8 May 2025 The European Commission has launched a public consultation on a list of US imports which could become subject to EU countermeasures, if ongoing EU-US negotiations do not result in a mutually beneficial outcome and the removal of the US tariffs. The list put to consultation concerns imports from the US worth €95 billion, covering a broad range of industrial and agricultural products. The Commission is also consulting on possible restrictions on certain EU exports of steel scrap and chemical products to the US worth €4.4 billion. This consultation is designed to address both the US universal tariffs and the tariffs on cars and car parts. Since the US imposed its unjustified and harmful tariffs, the EU has prioritised finding a mutually beneficial and balanced solution through negotiations, including within the framework of the 90- day partial suspension of tariffs announced by the US. These negotiations are ongoing both at political and technical level. The EU continues to prepare potential countermeasures to defend its consumers and industry, in parallel with the negotiations and in case these fail to deliver a satisfactory outcome. While the public consultation is a necessary step in this process, it does not automatically result in the adoption of countermeasures. In parallel, the EU will also launch a WTO...