President Donald J. Trump announced the administration’s intent to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. In response, the EU has stated and reiterated that it will not hesitate to impose countermeasures to safeguard European businesses from unjustified tariffs. Examining the EU’s previous retaliatory measures and two key legal challenges brought by affected companies in the EU Courts provides valuable insight into what businesses can expect in terms of the scope and industries targeted by such responses. The urgency behind the EU’s efforts to respond to recent U.S. trade measures could expose the EU institutions to the risk of breaching fundamental rights of companies exporting goods to the EU. Companies should, therefore, carefully evaluate the implications of EU trade measures on their businesses and, if they are adversely affected by those measures, consider whether to seek redress in the EU Courts.
View other S&C insights relating to President Trump’s recent executive orders.