Europe and China announce retaliation against US tariffs, increasing the risk of a global trade war

Trade Escalation: Europe and China announce retaliation against US tariffs

Washington, Brussels, Beijing – Tensions in global trade reached a new level on Tuesday, after the European Union and China announced retaliatory measures against tariffs imposed by the United States. The decision comes after Donald Trump's government imposed a 20% tariff on European products and a 34% tariff on Chinese products, on top of the rates already in force.

Europe and China promise to respond accordingly

Brussels made it clear that it will respond with equivalent measures, targeting strategic sectors of the American economy. Beijing, in turn, also announced additional tariffs, further increasing tension between the three largest economies in the world.

President Donald Trump reacted promptly, promising even higher tariffs if the retaliation is carried out. The escalation of trade sanctions could trigger what economists are already calling a "global tariff war", a scenario that threatens to plunge the world into a serious economic crisis.

Impacts on the global scenario

Experts warn that this dispute could affect supply chains, international investments and global economic growth. Companies are already expressing concern about possible price increases and a decline in international trade.

If sanctions and retaliation continue, the global economy could face a period of unprecedented uncertainty and recession.

Após levar com uma tarifa de 20% dos EUA, a Europa anunciou hoje que irá retaliar, com a China, que levou com uma tarifa de 34% - a ser aplicada sobre tarifas já em vigor -, prometendo o mesmo. Se essas tarifas de retaliação avançarem, Trump prometeu aplicar tarifas ainda… pic.twitter.com/sc0Bnoo4aQ — Hoje no Mundo Militar (@hoje_no) April 3, 2025