Brussels has already estimated the impact that Trump's tariff measures will have on European exports: up to 81 billion euros annually. A figure that represents an "enormous leap" from current data, as acknowledged by sources from the European Commission, demonstrating the scale of the trade war unleashed by the US president.
The specific data is as follows and is divided into three packages. On one hand, there are the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, amounting to 26 billion euros, which when subjected to a 25% tariff, result in 6.5 billion euros. Next, there are the 66 billion euros representing European vehicle exports to the US, to which a 25% tariff is applied, resulting in another 16.5 billion euros.
Additionally, reciprocal tariffs must be added, which according to Commission estimates, will affect a trade volume of 290 billion euros. The tariff in this case is 20%, bringing the total to 58 billion euros following the US release day. Of alleged liberation and revenue, of course.
"Taking all this into account, now 70% of our exports to the United States will be affected by tariffs. That's around 370 billion euros, and the total tariffs that the US is receiving from EU exports are just over 81 billion euros. Comparing that to the amount of tariffs the US has collected so far from EU exports, which was around 7 billion euros, it is clearly an enormous leap," state Commission sources.
Brussels emphasizes that these figures represent the maximum possible. The reason is simple: they are calculated based on current export levels, which are unlikely to be maintained as the trade war will almost certainly reduce them.
The consequences, in any case, appear catastrophic. For exports, for consumers, and for the economy as a whole. Early this morning, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, pointed this out in a speech from Samarkand (Uzbekistan), where she is on an official trip to participate in the first bilateral summit between the European Union and the Central Asia region.
"The consequences will be disastrous for millions of people worldwide. Also for the most vulnerable countries, which are now subject to some of the highest US tariffs. It will be felt immediately. Millions of citizens will face higher food bills. Medicines will cost more, as will transportation," she noted.
Therefore, the Commission President has stated that the EU is willing to negotiate, a point reiterated this morning from Brussels. Furthermore, the European Commissioner for Trade, Maros Sefcovic, stated this Thursday that he will have an initial contact with his US counterparts tomorrow after Trump's announcement to seek agreements.
"I will speak tomorrow with my US counterparts. We will act calmly, carefully, and in a unified manner as we gauge our response, allowing the necessary time for discussions. But we will not stand idly by if we do not achieve a fair agreement," he posted on his X social media profile.
And this is crucial because the reality is that Trump does not seem willing to negotiate anything. On the contrary. Therefore, the EU continues to analyze its response to "hit where it hurts the most" and inflict maximum damage on the US while minimizing the consequences for Europeans. However, there is growing nervousness in Brussels because what was planned for mid-April is now being considered more likely towards the end of the month. At that time, proportional measures will be announced, and that figure of 81 billion euros is seen as a very significant reference point.