4/10/2025
One thing you can do today: Understand how trade policies impact your local economy and community, then make your voice heard.
Read the orginal article: The Washington Post
What Happened
The European Union (E.U.) is preparing a phased response to U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Unlike China's immediate retaliation, the E.U. is taking a more cautious, diplomatic approach. Member states are set to vote on targeted tariffs in response to U.S. steel and aluminum levies, with additional measures under consideration, including on cars and broader goods. Trump rejected Europe’s offers for tariff-free trade, demanding more U.S. exports and looser E.U. regulations. Meanwhile, E.U. countries are divided on how forcefully to respond, with some urging caution and others advocating for tougher measures.
Why It Matters
This trade standoff could escalate into a full-blown trade war between two of the world’s largest economies. That would impact global supply chains, increase costs for consumers and businesses, and strain transatlantic political and military alliances. The situation also raises concerns about the future of global trade norms and the stability of international economic cooperation.
Who It Affects
- European industries – especially those relying on exports to the U.S. such as wine, cars, and steel.
- U.S. businesses and workers – particularly in sectors targeted by E.U. countermeasures (e.g., motorbikes, home appliances).
- Consumers – both in the U.S. and Europe, who may see price increases due to tariffs.
- Policymakers – who must navigate trade diplomacy while managing national economic interests.
Why Your Voice Matters
Public opinion influences political leaders. By expressing your stance on trade policy, you can help shape decisions that impact not only international relations but also local economies and job markets. Collective action can hold leaders accountable and push for more equitable trade practices.
Why You Should Care
Even if international trade seems distant, tariffs affect everyday life: food prices, vehicle costs, and job security in affected industries. A trade war could also destabilize broader economic conditions and weaken global cooperation on issues like climate change, cybersecurity, and defense.
What You Can Do
If You Support the E.U.’s Cautious and Negotiation-First Approach
- Contact your Member of the European Parliament (MEP) or national representatives and urge them to support diplomacy and collective E.U. negotiations.
- Raise awareness by sharing trusted news and analysis on European trade policy via Politico Europe or Bruegel.
- Donate to or support think tanks that promote transatlantic dialogue and global cooperation, such as The German Marshall Fund or Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).
- Vote in European and national elections for candidates who support measured diplomacy over economic escalation.
If You Oppose the E.U.’s Approach and Support a Stronger Retaliatory Response
- Contact your MEP to demand a stronger stance on trade, including faster and broader retaliatory tariffs.
- Organize or join campaigns calling for aggressive trade protections for European industries. Use local civic tech tools like Change.org or EU Citizens’ Initiative.
- Support industry advocacy groups pressing for firmer action, such as BusinessEurope or national chambers of commerce.
- Donate to organizations advocating for domestic economic independence and fair trade, such as Fair Trade Advocacy Office.
Resources to Find & Contact Your Local Representatives
- Find Your Member of the European Parliament
- Find U.S. Elected Officials (for U.S. readers)
- Contacting Congress – Easy U.S. tool to reach Senators and Representatives
- Who is My Representative? – U.S. zip-code based search