Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium took effect yesterday on major US trading partners. After they did, it took the European Union less than 10 minutes to respond. The EU's initial countermeasures will take effect on US products on 1 April, ranging from jeans and motorbikes to peanut butter and bourbon, and more will come into effect in mid-April. A whole swathe of textiles, home appliances, food and agricultural products could be included. For consumers, higher prices loom on Europe's supermarket shelves, especially for American products. But for businesses and some industries - especially steel - there is real danger, and
Trump has vowed to respond to the countermeasures, saying: "Whatever they charge us, we're charging them."
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