New US tariffs raise alarm among EU and US farmers

European and American farmer organizations are concerned about the import duties that the United States will impose on EU products on April 9. This will make such products 20% more expensive. US President Donald Trump announced the tariffs on Wednesday evening (April 2).

While talk of the tariffs had been in the air for some time, the tariffs came as a bombshell. The levy will come into force on Wednesday, April 9. The European Commission is currently preparing a package of countermeasures.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls the announced tariffs “a serious blow to the global economy.” All scenarios for a European response are on the table. For possible retaliatory tariffs, the European Commission will look at sectors where it hurts the US and where the EU has alternatives. Soybeans from Brazil are specifically mentioned. Meanwhile, European farmers do not want the EU to retaliate against Trump’s import tariffs. Europe’s largest farmers’ coalition, COPA-COGECA, hopes that the EU will negotiate with the US to prevent a trade war.

“Retaliatory trade measures will not benefit farmers in either the EU or the US. Instead, they will limit our options, raise prices and weaken the sustainability of the agricultural business. We call on both administrations to prioritize negotiations and explore all diplomatic avenues before resorting to measures that could have long-term consequences,” warned COPA-COGECA President Massimiliano Giansanti.

American farmers are also concerned. The American Farm Bureau emphasizes that trade is critical for US farmers. Increasing tariffs threaten the economic sustainability of farmers who have lost money on their staple crops over the past three years.

More than 20% of farm income comes from exports, and farmers rely heavily on imports for key supplies such as fertilizers and specialty tools. The Farm Bureau foresees long-term damage from the loss of market share for American farmers.

Tags: EU, USA