European Union, EU, member states on Wednesday approved the first set of retaliatory measures against US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

The EU deems US tariffs as "unjustified and damaging," claiming they harm both the US and European economies, as well as the global market, according to a statement from the European Commission.

The Commission proposed these countermeasures on Monday, with most duties set at 25%. The tariffs will apply to a variety of US imports, targeting products from steel and aluminum to agricultural and industrial goods. These include items such as soybeans, poultry, tobacco, iron, motorcycles, dental floss, and both steel and aluminum, collectively valued at about 22 billion euros ($24.36 billion) last year.

The tariffs will be rolled out in three phases: the first on April 15, affecting products like cranberries and orange juice; a second round on May 16, covering steel, meat, white chocolate, and polyethylene; and the final phase, targeting almonds and soybeans, set for December 1.

The European Commission reiterated its preference for a "negotiated outcome" with the US that is balanced and mutually beneficial. It also emphasised that these countermeasures could be suspended at any time if the US agrees to a fair and balanced agreement.

Source: UNB/Xinhua