Europeans overwhelmingly endorse retaliatory tariffs against the US, poll finds
Whereas conscious of the financial influence of US tariffs on EU items, a YouGov examine finds {that a} overwhelming majority of European residents help retaliatory measures within the escalating commerce dispute between Brussels and Washington.
As Washington prepares to unleash an additional swathe of commerce measures on 2 April with reciprocal tariffs, a majority of EU residents throughout Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden help imposing retaliatory measures on US imports, based on a YouGov survey printed on Tuesday.
Greater than two-thirds, 69% of residents throughout these six main EU economies stated they again such countermeasures, Danish respondents displaying the strongest backing, with 79% in favour of countermeasures, whereas Italians have been least supportive at 59%.
The outcomes spotlight mounting European frustration over US commerce insurance policies, as residents anticipate important financial repercussions for their very own nations.
Germans, whose highly effective automotive sector is about to bear the brunt of the 25% US tariffs on vehicles, foresee a significant influence on their nationwide financial system. In keeping with the survey, 75% consider the tariffs may have both so much or truthful quantity of influence, with 31% anticipating “so much” of influence particularly.
70% of the French are additionally pessimistic over the influence of US tariffs on EU items on their nation’s financial system, the examine discovered. France has been notably weak, particularly after Donald Trump threatened to impose 200% tariffs on wines and spirits. The transfer has sparked concern amongst French producers and exporters, who worry a extreme blow to one among France’s most emblematic industries.
The survey discovered precisely the identical proportion of Italians – 70% – suppose US tariffs on EU items may have a significant influence on their financial system, regardless of displaying decrease help for retaliation measures.
The European Fee introduced a spread of countermeasures on a spread of US items after US tariffs on metal and aluminium got here into pressure.
Italian Prime minister Giorgia Meloni urged warning in Europe’s response to US tariffs. “After all there are variations on the desk on tariffs, however exactly because of this I additionally suppose that we should always not act on impulse however in a reasoned approach,” she stated throughout a gathering with opposition MPs on 29 March.
Europeans additionally indicated they do not purchase US President Donald Trump’s narrative that the EU treats the US unfairly as a result of its tariffs on vehicles and commerce surplus, with from 40% to 67% saying the bloc has been truthful in its commerce relations with Washington.
Final week Washington introduced 25% tariffs on vehicles imports, in response, Brussels has vowed “calibrated” countermeasures as soon as the tariffs take impact on Wednesday and after US reciprocal duties – the complete scope of which stays unsure – are disclosed.
For this examine, a complete of seven,300 residents have been surveyed throughout six European nations.
