The European Union is reportedly devising a trade defense strategy in anticipation of a potential victory by Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential elections on November 5. According to Bloomberg, sources within the Union indicate that if the former president regains control of the White House and follows through on his threats to impose heavy protectionist measures, the EU would not hesitate to retaliate by targeting a list of American-made products.
Insider sources emphasize that Brussels would prefer to find common ground with the Republican on shared interests, such as managing relations with China. The EU’s primary objective would be to avoid a new trade war, opting instead to negotiate compromises on sensitive fronts. However, they make it clear: if Washington decides to strike at the Twenty-Seven, the Union will not remain passive.
Trump previously imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminum exports in 2018, to which Brussels responded with retaliatory measures, targeting symbolic products such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Levi Strauss jeans. Trump recently stated his intention to apply tariffs of up to 100% on imports from China and a 10% levy on all imports from other countries, including Europe.
The former president has repeatedly criticized the digital services taxes adopted by various European nations, viewing them as attacks on major U.S. technology companies, including giants like Google, Apple, and Facebook, which have long been in the crosshairs of more aggressive EU fiscal policies.
In a July interview with Bloomberg, Trump remarked, “The ‘European Union’ sounds so lovely. (…) But once you get past that, they treat us violently” He pointed to the EU’S refusal to import U.S. automobiles and agricultural products as a major factor contributing to the over $200 billion trade deficit between the two formally allied blocs.
Despite President Joe Biden’s more conciliatory rhetoric compared to his predecessor, not even he has not completely abandoned the protectionist stance of “America First.” Europeans have harshly criticized Biden’s $390 billion subsidy program aimed at promoting green technologies, which encourages companies to shift their investments from Europe to the United States.
Should Kamala Harris emerge victorious, Brussels would therefore still aim to resolve some of the unresolved trade frictions that lingered during Biden’s administration, particularly regarding tariffs on steel and aluminum.
