European and American Farmers Concerned Over New U.S. Import Tariffs on EU Products

Farmer organizations across Europe and the United States have expressed concern over newly imposed U.S. import tariffs on products from the European Union, which have made these goods 20% more expensive, according to DairyGlobal.

“A Major Blow to the Global Economy”

Although these tariffs had been anticipated, their implementation landed like a bombshell. The new import duty will take effect on Wednesday, April 9. In response, the European Commission is preparing a countermeasure package.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the announced tariffs as “a major blow to the global economy.” All scenarios for a European counteraction are currently on the table. In considering retaliatory tariffs, the Commission is analyzing industries where U.S. interests could be harmed and where the EU has alternative sources.

One example mentioned is soy imports from Brazil. Meanwhile, European farmers are urging the EU not to retaliate against Trump’s import tariffs. The European farmers' umbrella organization Copa-Cogeca hopes the EU will choose to negotiate with the U.S. in order to avoid a trade war.

“Retaliatory trade measures will not benefit farmers—neither in the EU nor the U.S. Instead, they will limit our opportunities, raise prices, and weaken the resilience of agricultural enterprises,” said Copa President Massimiliano Giansanti.

Farmers’ Bargaining Power Under Pressure

Giansanti continued:

“We urge both administrations to prioritize negotiations and explore all diplomatic avenues before resorting to measures that could have long-lasting consequences.”

Similar concerns are being voiced by American farmers. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) emphasizes that trade is crucial for U.S. agriculture. Tariff increases threaten the economic sustainability of American farmers, who have already faced three consecutive years of losses on core crops.

More than 20% of farm income in the U.S. comes from exports, and farmers heavily depend on imports for essential items such as fertilizers and specialized tools. AFBF warns of long-term damage due to lost market share for American farmers.

Differentiated Tariffs by Country

President Donald Trump has proposed different tariff rates depending on the trade partner. These range from a baseline 10% on imports from all countries—including the United Kingdom—to 34% for China and 49% for Cambodia, a major exporter of cheap clothing.

According to Trump, the 20% tariff on EU products is still low compared to what the EU charges for U.S. goods. The new tariffs come on top of previously imposed duties on aluminum, steel, and other products.

Trump has accused foreign countries of “robbing” the United States and growing rich at the expense of Americans. He has pledged to rapidly rebuild American industry and tear down trade barriers abroad with his new import tax policy.

Economists React

Economist Theo Smid of credit insurer Atradius told news agency ANP:

“If this trade war continues to escalate, open economies will suffer the consequences. This could lead to a global increase in bankruptcies and a slowdown in economic growth.”