Trade tensions are escalating between the United States and the European Union following the imposition of new customs duties.

President Donald Trump announced the imposition of a 10% tariff on all imports to the United States, describing this decision as a "Liberation Day" to address what he considered an imbalance in the trade balance. He also announced an increase in tariffs on foreign cars to 25% starting from midnight on April 2, pointing out that American products face obstacles in markets such as Japan and South Korea, while cars from those countries freely flood the American market. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described these actions as a "severe blow to the global economy," confirming the European Union's readiness to respond with a package of countermeasures, especially regarding the steel sector. She added that Brussels is considering imposing additional measures to protect its interests in case negotiations with the American side fail. This escalation comes within the framework of Trump's policy aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit and supporting local industries, which threatens to increase tensions with major trading partners around the world.