Brussels, 2 April 2025
EP Trade Committee Chair on US tariffs: “Unjustified, illegal and disproportionate”
Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, reacts to the 20% tariff announced by US President Donald Trump tonight.
“While President Trump might call today ‘Liberation Day’, from an ordinary citizen’s point of view this is ‘Inflation Day’. These unjustified, illegal and disproportionate measures can only lead to further tariff escalation and a downward economic spiral for the US and the world as a whole. Because of this decision, US consumers will be forced to carry the heaviest burden in a trade war. These tariffs will only make processes and manufacturing more inefficient. They have prompted damaging uncertainty in the investment climate. Stock markets could hardly be clearer in their reactions.
The EU will respond. We will do so through legal, legitimate, proportionate and decisive measures. As the EU we will consider which of the tools at our disposal are best suited for our response. We are not backing down. We will defend our sovereignty and we will not change legislation that we have shaped democratically and in the interest of EU citizens, even if this displeases some US billionaires. The countries that have been targeted by these measures must respond with a united front and send a clear message to the US to end this tariff madness.
I do hope this administration is genuinely interested in engaging with the EU, but I am not confident. I hope that our arguments and the firmness of our response will provide sufficient incentives to bring the US to the negotiating table. The EU’s door will always remain open to finding a solution.”
A press conference with Mr LANGE will take place tomorrow Thursday 3 April at 9.00. It can be followed by webstreaming and journalists wishing to participate actively and ask questions, can connect via Interactio using this link: https://ep.interactio.eu/s871-h7gf-91mi.
EPP Group: Statement by Daniel Caspary (CDU) on Trump’sU.S. Tariffs Trump
On the announcement of new tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump, Daniel Caspary (CDU), Chairman of the CDU/CSU Group and Member of the Committee on International Trade, states:
“These announcements are a total disaster and, unfortunately, a continuation of Donald Trump’s reckless trade policy. These tariffs represent a massive weakening of the U.S. economy – but unfortunately, they also harm us. The Chinese and Russians are probably jumping for joy at this own goal.
We expect the European Commission to now respond quickly, appropriately, and at the same level – but in a smarter way and in accordance with World Trade Organization rules.
After this shock, it should be absolutely clear to every political decision-maker in Europe that we urgently need massive relief for European businesses and must open up new markets.
As Europeans, our agenda must be clear: we need a swift and comprehensive reduction in bureaucracy, the completion of the European Single Market, and new trade agreements to provide our companies with new perspectives and avenues for growth. The upcoming vote in the European Parliament on the Omnibus procedure will be a first test case of whether everyone has truly grasped these new realities.”
S&D Group: Inflation Day, not Liberation Day – Don’t give in to Trump, outsmart his trade war
Brussels 2 April 2025
In response to the decision of US President Donald Trump to install 20% unjustified, illegal, and disproportionate tariffs on EU exports, the S&Ds urge the European Commission to take legal, legitimate, and decisive action to maximise pressure on the US and defend European interests.
It must be clear: we will not water down our legislation to satisfy Trump’s demands and are ready to do what it takes to defend our workers and businesses. We have to be prepared to lay all necessary tools on the table, from the anti-coercion instrument to targeting US digital services and incentives to attract American companies.
Iratxe García Pérez, S&D Group leader said:
“We deeply regret Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on EU products. Millions of jobs and citizens’ purchasing power are at risk because of Trump’s reckless tariffs. The EU’s €26 billion response to Trump’s tariffs, announced two weeks ago, is a strong step, but others should follow. Trump is fuelling a trade war that will not bring liberation; on the contrary, it will bring disaster for American workers and the economy. Our citizens and businesses shouldn’t worry, as we won’t follow him down that road.
“Our strength lies in being the world’s largest trading bloc, and we should be ready to use our full power, including the anti-coercion instrument, not only on products but also services. Let’s not forget that, above all, the United States is our largest trade partner, and we Socialists want a negotiated solution. But, what Trump can’t anticipate is that the EU won’t respond to his attacks. Our citizens and their jobs come first, and that’s why the EU should respond with determination, speed, proportionality, and unity.”
Brando Benifei, S&D coordinator in the international trade committee and chair of the European Parliament’s delegation to the US, stated:
“We need broad countermeasures that hit where it really hurts—not just on goods, but also targeting services, such as big tech firms, as well as considering the possible retaliation on intellectual property rights or excluding US companies from public procurement contracts—to maximise pressure and bring this trade war to an end.
“The EU should also think outside the box and outsmart Trump’s logic. We need an ambitious, attractive package that encourages US companies and citizens to come and do more business in, and move to, the EU—a major, stable, rich, social and sustainable single market.”
Bernd Lange, S&D MEP, chair of the European Parliament’s international trade committee and standing rapporteur on US trade and investment relations, added:
“While President Trump might coin today as ‘Liberation Day’, seen from an ordinary citizen’s perspective, this is rather ‘Inflation Day’. The EU will respond to these unjustified, illegal and disproportionate tariffs.
“We are not backing down: we will defend our sovereignty and we will not change, for example, our digital legislation that we have shaped democratically and in the interest of EU citizens, even if this displeases some US billionaires. The EU has a broad toolbox at its disposal and we are ready to use it. It might be the only way to get the US to the negotiation table to stop this tariff madness.”
Renew Europe: “Liberation Day”, a direct threat to global trade and European prosperity
Renew Europe MEPs strongly denounce U.S. President Donald Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” announcement, of sweeping arbitrary tariffs on international trade partners, including 20% on the European Union imports. This move represents a dangerous escalation of global tensions and protectionist policies that threaten to destabilise the global economy and undermine a century of developing shared rules for mutual prosperity in international relations.
“President Trump’s tariffs are not a liberation; they are an aggressive declaration of economic isolationism. The only indicator being liberated is price inflation for American consumers,” said MEP Karin Karlsbro (Liberalerna, Sweden), Renew Europe’s standing rapporteur on EU-US trade relations and vice-chair of the Committee on International Trade (INTA). “President Trump is punishing businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic, driving up costs and fuelling inflation at a time when global cooperation is more crucial than ever.”
Renew Europe urges the U.S. administration to reconsider its approach and engage in constructive dialogue with its trade partners. At the same time, Europe must respond decisively to defend our interests and uphold the principles of global cooperation. It equally urges Member States to use the strength of a unified Union.
“We call on the European Commission to respond firmly” added Karin Karlsbro. “Europe must stand united in defending its economic interests and the principles of free and fair trade. We will not be steamrolled by hostile rhetoric and policies.”
MEP Marie-Pierre Védrenne (Modem, France), Renew Europe coordinator for the International Trade committee and advocate for strategic autonomy in EU trade, stated : “The EU cannot allow itself to be squeezed between the U.S. and other global powers. The European Union must give itself the means to negotiate with the United States, without compromising its economic and commercial interests. But we must also be prepared to take initiatives and move closer to other partners in order to strengthen our commercial ties. The EU is a reliable and predictable partner, it is our strength that we must defend in a context of great instability.”
Renew Europe repeats our call for President Trump’s European supporters to speak out against these harmful tariffs and accept responsibility for their role in enabling such policies.
Greens/EFA on Trump’s Tariffs – The EU Must Respond with its Full Toolbox
U.S. President Trump has just announced more unjustified tariffs. These so-called “reciprocal” tariffs, set at 20%, will hit the EU hard. Anna Cavazzini, spokesperson for EU–US trade relations for the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, commented:
“Trump is celebrating a so-called ‘Liberation Day’ with his supporters – the day the U.S. breaks free from the supposed chains of globalization through quick revenues and protection of domestic industry. But in reality, he is putting the very jobs he claims to protect at risk with his tariff bludgeon. Trump’s madness will create economic uncertainty and drive up costs, hitting businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Trump’s blanket tariffs are a maximum-level provocation. Not only is he pursuing doomed industrial policy goals, but he’s also trying to force the EU to water down its tech regulation. The figures he bases his arguments on are absurd and completely arbitrary. For example, the EU’s average tariff on U.S. goods is below 2%.
The EU must respond with unity, a cool head, and resolve. We must consider the full toolbox at the EU’s disposal to bring Trump back to the negotiating table.
Using the Anti-Coercion Instrument, the EU can restrict American companies’ access to EU banking, insurance, and capital markets, exclude U.S. bidders from public procurement, or limit advertising on U.S.-based social media platforms. A digital tax would strike at the heart of Trump’s close supporters and provide the EU with new own resources to help industries affected by this crisis.
A smart mix of these measures will create domestic pressure where it hurts Trump most. That can put an end to this tariff madness.”
Germany’s Acting Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck on the U.S. tariff announcements
“Regarding the tariff announcements made by the U.S. government yesterday, we are sending you the following statement from Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck (Greens):
‘The tariffs announced by the United States harm both the European and U.S. economies, as well as international trade. For consumers in the U.S., this day will not be a Liberation Day, but an Inflation Day. The U.S. tariff obsession could trigger a spiral that pulls countries into recession and causes massive global harm — with dire consequences for many people.
We have always pushed for negotiations, not confrontation. That remains the right course. It is therefore good that the European Commission continues to seek a negotiated solution with the U.S. There is still some time for that. But if the U.S. is not interested in a negotiated solution, the EU will deliver a balanced, clear, and determined response. We are prepared for this. And I support the President of the Commission in her firm stance.
It is crucial that we act as a united EU. Europe’s strength is our strength. We have the world’s largest single market. We must make use of this strength.”
Statement by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in response to US tariffs
And when that same freedom was also applied to our economies, our societies became richer. People saw their lives improve. Parents saw their children enjoy a future they themselves had hardly dared to dream of.
Mutual cooperation through free trade has contributed to peace, technological progress and the reduction of global poverty. Yes, all of humanity is better off. Free enterprise and competition have laid the foundations of the West’s success. That’s why Americans can listen to music on Swedish Spotify and we Swedes can listen to the same music on our American iPhones.
This is why I deeply regret the path the US has embarked upon, seeking to limit trade with higher tariffs. We don’t want growing trade barriers. We don’t want a trade war. That would make our populations poorer and the world more dangerous in the long run.
But – Sweden and the Swedish Government are well prepared for what’s happening now. We stand on solid economic ground, with world-class public finances.
And in the EU, I will continue to take every opportunity to reverse these developments. My hope, and our goal, is that we will be able to contain the new US tariffs.
We want to find our way back to a path of trade and cooperation together with the US, so that people in our countries can enjoy a better life. Sweden will continue to stand up for free trade and international cooperation.”
Source – Government of Sweden