EU Threatens to Go Full John Wick on Trump’s Steel Tariff Bonanza…

The EU just woke up and chose violence… or whatever counts as violence in Brussels. After Trump’s “hold my beer” moment on Friday, where he jacked U.S. steel tariffs to a face-melting 50%, the EU all but announced it’s prepping its own set of financial brass knuckles. If you blinked, you probably missed the European Commission’s very diplomatic version of “F’ around and find out.” 

(Source: Giphy) 

In short, Trump’s new 50% steel tariff (set for June 4) was already getting global manufacturers all bricked up, but the EU’s not just going to sit there letting American trade policy treat them like an NPC. In the world’s most passive-aggressive ultimatum, the Commission said “we strongly regret” the tariff hike, before immediately threatening to unleash countermeasures on July 14—possibly even earlier if Trump’s trade team keeps channeling their inner Gordon Ramsay and turning up the heat.

Keep in mind too, from what we know… these aren’t your garden variety all bark, no bit threats. This is “automatic tariffs on U.S. goods,” a list the EU’s been brewing since the first trade war in 2018 and just couldn’t wait to whip back out of cold storage. If you sell jeans, bourbon, motorcycles, or literally anything with a U.S. flag sticker on it to Europe, congratulations: you’re about to find out what it feels like to be a human piñata for French customs. 

(Source: CNBC) 

For investors, here’s the part that’ll get you hot and bothered (and not the good kind): all those “transatlantic supply chain” plays are about to get an unscheduled stress test. U.S. steel stocks (think $X, $NUE, $STLD) might get a short-term sugar rush because “America First” sounds sexy on the surface, but the hangover comes fast if Europe starts slapping retaliatory tariffs on finished goods.

Oh, and don’t forget, roughly 25% of U.S. steel is imported, so anyone who assembles cars, bridges, or even soup cans is about to see input costs levitate faster than European inflation in 2022. Meanwhile, the UK is over here looking like the poor soul watching mom and dad throw hands… after Brexit, they signed a zero-tariff deal with the U.S., and now steelmakers are realizing they might get bodied anyway if they’re caught in this crossfire. The UK government says they’re “engaging” with the U.S. on “clarity,” which basically means they are cooked. 

(Source: Giphy) 

So is there any hope here? Ehhh, I wouldn’t hold my breath. The EU literally paused its own countermeasures in April to “create space for negotiations,” but Trump’s latest move just nuked that olive branch from orbit. Brussels is now dusting off its greatest hits from the trade retaliation playlist that includes more tariffs, quota’s, and regulatory smackdowns. 

In the end, Trump’s newest stunt just napalmed the negotiation table and handed the EU a fat excuse to go full scorched earth on American exports. Of course, anything can happen here… but I’d prepare for chaos in the meantime. Meaning, place your bets accordingly and stay safe out there. Until next time, friends… 

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Stocks.News does not hold positions in companies mentioned in the article.