Europe has officially taken the first step against the United States’ customs duties. EU countries have approved the imposition of a tax on American goods amounting to €21 billion.

The European Union (EU) has approved the first retaliatory measures package against US President Donald Trump’s additional customs duties. In the metal dispute, the EU agreed to impose customs duties on American goods worth €21 billion.

According to the decision, the EU’s initial measures against US tariffs will come into effect on April 15. The European Commission indicated that the package of measures could be suspended if the US accepts a fair and balanced negotiation outcome. EU countries proposed on Monday to impose an additional customs duty of 25% on US products. Among the products on which the EU planned to impose customs duties were motorcycles, poultry, fruit, wood, clothing, and dental floss.

The total value of these products last year was around €21 billion (23 billion dollars). Under Trump’s customs duties, EU countries are now facing a 25% customs duty on steel, aluminum, and automobile imports, and 20% on many other products. The volume of EU’s metal exports affected by the US customs duties was €26 billion last year.