The media learned about the preparation of retaliatory EU duties against the United States for $ 28 billion

The European Union (EU) countries will present a united front against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs in the coming days, likely approving the first set of targeted countermeasures against U.S. imports worth up to $28 billion. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on April 6.

The EU is facing 25 percent import duties on steel, aluminum and automobiles, as well as "reciprocal" duties of 20% on almost all other goods from the United States. According to the agency, Trump's duties cover about 70% of EU exports to the United States, which amounted to €532 billion last year.

The European Commission (EC) will propose to EU members on Monday, April 7, a list of American goods that will be subject to additional duties in response to Trump's economic policy on steel and aluminum. It will include meat, cereals, wine, wood, clothing, as well as chewing gum, dental floss, vacuum cleaners and toilet paper.

According to the publication, there is a range of opinions among EU members on how to respond. Some are calling for a tougher response, while others advocate a more balanced approach "so as not to lead to an escalation of the trade war."

"It's a difficult balance. The measures cannot be too soft to bring the United States to the negotiating table, but not too harsh to lead to escalation," said one EU diplomat.

According to Reuters, a vote on the initial countermeasures will be held on Wednesday, April 9, and retaliatory duties are likely to be approved. They will come into force in two stages — on April 15 and a month later.

A dangerous dilemma: what will Europe and Asia do against the US tariffs

The EU is belligerent, and ASEAN is seeking concessions.

On April 2, Trump announced large-scale measures: base tariffs of 10% are being introduced for all products supplied to the United States. For Europe, this figure has been increased to 20%, and for China — to 34%. In his speech, the president called April 2 the day when Americans will become rich again.

Against the background of the imposed import duties and Trump's policy in general, large protests began in the United States on April 5. According to The Guardian newspaper, the outrage was caused, among other things, by the advancement in the career of an entrepreneur and the head of the Department of State Efficiency (DOGE). Elon Musk's USA, reduction of spending on healthcare, reduction of measures to support the environment and national parks.

A member of the American Congress from the Democratic Party, Al Green, in turn, announced his intention to initiate the impeachment process against Trump within 30 days.