In response to the imposition of new US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports, the European Commission has launched countermeasures on US imports into the EU.

In response to new US tariffs affecting more than €18 billion of EU exports, the Commission is putting forward a package of new countermeasures on US exports. They will come into force by mid-April, following consultation of Member States and stakeholders. In total, the EU countermeasures could therefore apply to US goods exports worth up to €26 billion, matching the economic scope of the US tariffs.

On the list of products which could be subject to possible measures are:

• Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, with reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of a cylinder capacity <= 50 cm³
• Scooters of cylinder capacity > 50 cm³ but <= 250 cm³
• Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, with reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of a cylinder capacity > 50 cm³ but <= 125 cm³ (excl. scooters)
• Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, with reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of a cylinder capacity > 125 cm³ to 250 cm³ (excl. scooters)
• Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, with reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of a cylinder capacity > 250 cm³ to 380 cm³
• Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, with reciprocating internal combustion piston engine of a cylinder capacity > 380 cm³ to 500 cm³
• Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, and cycles fitted with an auxiliary motor, with electric motor for propulsion (excl. bicycles, tricycles and quadricycles, with pedal assistance, with a continuous rated power <= 250 w)
• Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, and cycles fitted with an auxiliary motor and side cars for motorcycles (excl. electric or with reciprocating internal combustion piston engine)

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “The trade relations between the European Union and the US are the biggest in the world. They have brought prosperity and security to millions of people, and trade has created millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. As of this morning the United States is applying a 25% tariff on imports of steel and aluminium. We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy. Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States. The European Union must act to protect consumers and business. The countermeasures we take today are strong but proportionate. As the US are applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth €26 billion. This matches the economic scope of the US tariffs. Our countermeasures will be introduced in two steps. Starting with 1 April and fully in place as of 13 April. In the meantime, we will always remain open to negotiation. We firmly believe that in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs. We are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue.”

Wim Taal, FEMA’s General Secretary: “FEMA has repeatedly explained that imposing sanctions or import taxes on motorcycles will not just hurt Americans and American industry, it will also hurt European motorcycle businesses, their workers and the families of those workers. People could lose their jobs and families could lose their income if motorcycles from the US become too expensive to sell. The motorcycle community is a global community and needs free trade and free movement of people and goods. We do not need to be involved in fights between governmental bodies.”

Source: European Commission

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