US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer sharply criticized the European Union on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2025, accusing it of disregarding national and international security concerns with its retaliatory tariffs on the United States.
Greer argued that the EU’s actions were further evidence that its trade and economic policies are out of touch with current realities.
Greer made his comments in response to the European Union’s decision to impose tariffs in retaliation for President Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs. He stated, “For years, the European Union has opposed the United States’ efforts to reindustrialize. Successive U.S. administrations have sought to address global overcapacity in steel, aluminum, and other sectors, but the EU has been reluctant to engage in meaningful cooperation, often offering measures that are inadequate and delayed.”
“If the EU had acted as swiftly to tackle global overcapacity as it does to punish the United States, we might be in a very different situation today,” Greer added.
The New York Times reported that global trade tensions worsened as both the European Union and Canada introduced billions of dollars in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports following the implementation of President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
Economists have expressed concerns that the trade war sparked by Trump’s policies could hurt economic growth and increase U.S. consumer prices, which rose slightly less than expected in February, according to newly released inflation data.
Despite these growing concerns, President Trump has shown little hesitation in defending his tariff policies. At a White House event, he reiterated his plans to implement further “reciprocal tariffs” against other countries in April.
The New York Times also noted that, shortly after Trump’s tariffs on metals were enacted, the Canadian government unveiled retaliatory measures, including new tariffs on $20 billion worth of U.S. imports. These tariffs, targeting steel and aluminum, as well as goods like tools, computers, sporting goods, and cast iron, came on top of 25 percent tariffs Canada had already imposed earlier this month in response to Trump’s initial measures. Canada’s Finance Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, warned that additional retaliatory actions could follow if further tariffs were imposed by the U.S.
On the same day, the European Union announced it would impose retaliatory tariffs of up to $28 billion on U.S. goods starting April 1. This was in direct response to the $26 billion worth of tariffs that the U.S. had placed on European imports.
However, EU officials indicated their willingness to negotiate with the Trump administration. “Jobs are at stake, prices are rising—this is not something anyone needs,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
While some U.S. domestic producers support the 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum, the measures could have negative consequences for industries such as car manufacturing. There are also concerns that they could drive up the cost of domestic metals in the short term, potentially slowing the U.S. economy.
