Brussels approves second package of trade measures against US

The European Union has finalised a second wave of countermeasures targeting U.S. goods worth €72 billion ($84 billion), escalating its preparedness for a potential trade clash with Washington.

The draft list, which includes major American exports such as Boeing aircraft, automobiles, and bourbon, comes in response to earlier tariff hikes imposed by President Donald Trump.

According to a 206-page document prepared by the European Commission and reviewed by Bloomberg News, the proposed retaliatory tariffs would also hit a wide range of U.S. products, including machinery, chemicals, plastics, medical devices, electrical equipment, wine, and other agricultural goods.

Originally covering American goods valued at €95 billion, the list was narrowed following consultations with EU member states and industry stakeholders. Final adoption is pending approval from individual EU countries.

Last weekend, the EU announced a temporary extension of its suspension of tariffs on a separate list of €21 billion in U.S. goods—a move taken in response to Trump’s steel and aluminium levies.

The newly finalised list includes more than €65 billion in industrial goods, such as nearly €11 billion worth of aircraft, €9.4 billion in machinery, and nearly €8 billion in cars. Agrifood products account for over €6 billion, including nearly €2 billion in fruits and vegetables and €1.2 billion in alcoholic beverages.

On July 12, President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union starting on August 1, after weeks of negotiations with the major U.S. trading partners.

By Khagan Isayev