U.S. Craft Beer, Bourbon, and Harley-Davidson: The Unexpected Casualties of Trump’s Trade War with the EU

The European Union (EU) recently unveiled a comprehensive list of U.S. products targeted for retaliatory tariffs, prompted by President Donald Trump’s implementation of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. This measure is set to affect items ranging from Kentucky bourbon to a variety of household appliances.

In an announcement made late Tuesday, the 27-nation bloc indicated that it would impose these countermeasures starting April 1, unless the Trump administration takes steps to de-escalate the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and Europe.

Trump’s tariffs, which include a 25% levy on imported steel and aluminum, took effect early Wednesday. Notably, the U.S. is the largest market for European steel exports, which were valued at around 8 billion euros (approximately $8.7 billion) in 2024, according to European Commission data.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, emphasized the importance of trade relations between the EU and the U.S., describing them as the largest globally and critical for millions of jobs and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. She also expressed the EU’s willingness to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the issue without imposing tariffs.

The EU’s extensive 99-page list of targeted American imports includes a wide array of products, such as beer, cosmetics, metal tools, and components for energy pipelines. These tariffs are expected to fully take effect by April 13, 2024, and could impact approximately $28 billion in U.S. goods, effectively mirroring the value of European imports subjected to tariffs by the Trump administration.

Following the EU’s announcement, Canada also revealed plans for counter-tariffs on U.S. goods. Canada ranks as the largest foreign supplier of steel and aluminum to the United States, with imports averaging $541.8 million per month since March 2024.

In a recent development, Trump retracted a threat to double the tariffs on metals from Canada after Ontario agreed to eliminate a surcharge affecting three U.S. states that purchase electricity from the province.

During a visit from Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump reiterated his stance on further taxing EU imports, including automobiles. He remarked that the U.S. would respond correspondingly to any tariffs imposed by the EU, stating, “Whatever they charge us, we’re charging them.”

The meeting between Trump and Martin remained positive, with Trump noting the Irish government’s swift approval of an expansion for his golf resort. However, he ultimately canceled the project due to prolonged EU approval processes.

Trump also criticized EU lawsuits against U.S. tech giants Apple and Meta, labeling them as “unfair.” The European Commission is anticipated to impose fines on these companies for violations of EU digital market laws. In a separate case, Europe’s top court previously mandated that Apple pay Ireland approximately $14 billion in back taxes.

In response to the ongoing tensions, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer criticized the EU, asserting that its economic policies are “out of step with reality” and opposing the U.S. efforts to reindustrialize.