Source: European Parliament
The Commission regrets the decision of the United States (US) to impose tariffs on EU exports of steel and aluminium on 12 March 2025, as well as the universal tariffs — which also cover medical devices’ exports to the US –, while welcoming the decision to pause the entry into force of these tariffs for 90 days that was taken afterwards.
The Commission sees no justification for tariffs. The Commission has emphasised to the US its wish to work together on common challenges and that the EU is not the problem — but is part of the solution.
The Commission’s priority is to avoid disruptions to EU-US trade and to seek negotiated solutions. The EU has stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the US, which would be balanced and mutually beneficial.
In this sense, in light of the decision by the US to delay its country-specific universal tariffs, the EU has decided to put its countermeasures on EUR 21 billion of US exports on hold for the same length of time. Medical devices are not included in the scope of these EU countermeasures.
The EU wants to give negotiations a chance. If, however, the talks are not satisfactory, the EU countermeasures will come into force on 14 July 2025.