They divide Europe the retaliation in the US

European leaders are measuring the impact of Donald Trump’s new 20% duties – and are at the same time divided on how to deal with the situation, with countries such as Greece distancing themselves from those in Europe seeking retaliation.

The most characteristic, perhaps, is an example is Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, who is under pressure from other countries to choose a side in the trade war between Europe and the US. At the same time, Ilon Musk says he would like to see zero duties between the EU and America.

Italy’s role is important in the transgressor trade war, as the country can veto the effort of other powerful EU economies to retaliate with Washington. In particular, Meloni opposes Franco -German pressures to counterattack on Trump on the front of trade.

Germany and France are among the Member States urging the European Commission to hit US products such as technology. At a meeting of ambassadors late last week, France, Germany, Spain and Belgium said the EU should be ready to use a « commercial bazoukas » with major US duties, according to the Financial Times.

However, the use of this trade weapon could be blocked by a strong minority of EU member states. The most powerful member of such a minority is Italy, but with Rome they also seem to agree in Greece, Romania and Hungary, diplomats said in the British newspaper.

The balances are sensitive at a time when EU countries will immediately attempt to present a more single front against Trump duties, possibly approved a first set of targeted countermeasures in US imports of up to $ 28 billion in dental products to dental threads to diamonds.

Such a move would mean that the EU would move, as well as China and Canada, to impose retaliation on the US, which can lead to an even greater escalation of trade war. The danger is high because in the case of a World War War the goods will become more expensive for billions of consumers, but also leading economies to recession.

The block of 27 EU countries is now facing 25% Washington duties on steel and aluminum and 20% cars and duties for almost all other US -intended goods. It is indicative that Trump’s duties cover about 70% of EU exports to the United States totaling € 532 billion, based on 2024 data.

The Commission is expected to propose, even today, in the countries of US product products where additional duties can be imposed in response to Donald Trump’s moves. Such products can be meat, cereals, wine, timber and clothing from the US. In addition, the list will be able to include chewing gum, dental thread, vacuum cleaners and toilet paper, according to Reuters.

A typical example of Europeans’ disagreements over the imposition of the US is Burbon. The Commission has examined to impose a 50% duty on its imports from the US, pushing Trump to threaten 200% of all the alcoholic beverages coming from the EU. Wine exporters from France and Italy belong to those who have expressed concerns about any European response.