The European Union warns that a 30% tariff on goods imported from the bloc by the United States would effectively halt trade. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič expressed concern over the potential for “super-negative” effects on both sides of the Atlantic and emphasized the EU’s desire for a negotiated agreement with Washington. The EU is delaying countermeasures on US exports to allow for more negotiation, but is preparing to retaliate. European stocks fell on Monday following the new tariff threat.
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The European Union’s response to US tariffs may center on regulating how American tech giants utilize European user data, a significant escalation in the ongoing trade dispute. This strategy, suggested by France’s finance minister, leverages a critical vulnerability: the immense value of the data these companies extract from the vast European market.
The sheer volume of data collected by American tech companies from European users represents a powerful bargaining chip. By implementing stricter regulations on data usage, the EU could significantly increase the cost of doing business for these companies, potentially forcing them to negotiate more favorable trade terms. This approach avoids the pitfalls of directly targeting products, as previous sanctions did, instead focusing on the services and software sector where the US holds a considerable advantage.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood