As the EU faces the Trump administration’s 30% tariff threat, the S&D group urges the European Commission to adopt new, firm, and intelligent countermeasures. They stress that, in order to achieve a good agreement that provides certainty for the European market, the EU needs to build leverage during the negotiations.

Brando Benifei, S&D coordinator in the INTA committee and chair of the delegation to the US, said:

“Commissioner Šefčovič and his team have, rightly so, put much effort into reaching a negotiated agreement, but so far, this has not been achieved. Over the weekend, we were hit with a 30% tariff threat. It seems that, unless we’re more assertive, Trump will only want more. It is time to step up: instead of waiting for a decision from the Trump administration, we should already be applying pressure to reach the deal we want.

“Currently, there does not seem to be a good agreement on the table. And the proposed 30% tariff is a tactic aimed at pushing us into a worse deal and throwing our businesses into uncertainty. It is time to adopt new, firm, and strategic countermeasures to ensure we’re on a better footing to reach a negotiated agreement; to provide predictability for businesses.

“We have the tools to retaliate intelligently: product by product and service by service, targeting areas that hit the US where it hurts while minimising harm to the EU. To maximise effectiveness we have to play hardball, which means we cannot exclude property rights or financial and digital services from this arsenal.”

Kathleen van Brempt, S&D vice-president and spokesperson on International Trade, added:

“We have the Anti-Coercion Instrument and the strength of being the world’s largest trading bloc. Europe can’t afford to back down: the recklessly high tariffs and Trump-made chaos harm our businesses, workers, and economies, and likely do the same across the Atlantic. There’s no time to hesitate, we must deliver a strong and united response that protects our economic interests and builds leverage.

“In parallel, we should form a front with countries affected by US tariffs and diversify our partnerships. Yesterday’s trade agreement with Indonesia is a positive step. But we should go further and build a trade coalition of the willing with like-minded partners such as Japan, Mexico, and Canada.

“By achieving a stronger position in negotiations and continuing to invest efforts into reaching a fair agreement, we can ensure any final deal removes the current illegal tariffs and restores certainty for European businesses and workers. If that doesn’t happen, there’s no other option but to bring out the Anti-Coercion Instrument and not hold back.”