The European Union has approved trade duties against the United States

The countries of the European Union (EU) have approved retaliatory trade duties against the United States. This was reported on the EU website on April 9.

"Today, the EU member states voted in favor of the European Commission's proposal to introduce trade countermeasures against the United States," the statement said.

In addition, the EU believes that the US duties are causing devastating economic damage to both sides, as well as the global economy. It is specified that tariffs will start to be charged on April 15.

However, the EU added that if the United States agrees to fair negotiations, then the countermeasures may be suspended.

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On April 2, Trump announced large-scale trade measures: base tariffs of 10% are being introduced for all products supplied to the United States. For the EU, this figure has been raised to 20%, and for China — to 34%. Later, the United States raised duties against China to 104%.

On April 8, Trump announced that the imposed US duties bring about $2 billion in profit to the state treasury. In addition, Trump added that more than 70 countries have expressed their willingness to negotiate with the United States on the issue of imposed duties.