
According to Trump, the main issue is the US trade deficit with the EU. Unlike similar actions against Canada and Mexico, where he set a deadline of February 1, he has not yet specified a specific date for the imposition of EU tariffs.
How does this affect online shopping?
New tariffs could significantly affect e-commerce and cross-border trade between the US and the EU. For European vendors selling in the US, costs could be higher. These extra expenses would most likely be reflected in final consumer prices.
The situation remains unclear, as several key factors are yet to be determined:
- precise scope of tariffs
- specific product categories
- implementation timeline
Trump’s Tariff Threats: Global Reactions and Economic Implications
According to Reuters, financial markets have already responded to Trump’s comments; the S&P 500 index reached its highest point in a month, but new threats against the EU and China could reverse this upward trend.
Europe is ready for possible U.S. tariffs, said Germany’s outgoing vice chancellor Robert Habeck, who emphasized the importance of EU unity in tackling these issues.
He cautioned that trade disputes with the United States would be harmful to both parties and implied that retaliatory actions might have an effect on the American economy, particularly the consumer sector.