Majority of Europeans Support Retaliatory Tariffs Against U.S. Goods
Most Europeans will support retaliatory tariffs against U.S. goods produced in the EU. In Germany, more than two-thirds of those surveyed in the European economic powerhouse favor actions against the U.S. in the brewing trade war. In several other major economies on the Old Continent, sentiments are similar, if not worse, with more people hoping to see an appropriate response. In this case, Italians are the least hawkish, but still, more than half will back Europe’s countermeasures.
Western Europe Favors Retaliation Against Trump’s Tariffs
A majority of citizens in seven Western European countries, including EU member states and the UK, largely support retaliatory tariffs on U.S.-made products. This finding comes ahead of the anticipated announcement of President Donald Trump’s policy of “reciprocal tariffs” against countries with which the U.S. faces trade deficits.
According to a YouGov Eurotrack survey conducted in March, Danes are the most eager supporters of countermeasures, with 79% in favor. Swedes come in second, with 73% expressing support for a potential EU response. Among Spanish respondents, 70% favor higher tariffs on U.S. goods. Italians show the least support, with a total of 45% either uncertain or opposed to European retaliation, reflecting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s recent call to avoid impulsive actions.
France and Germany, the leading political powers in Europe, rank in the middle, with both hoping that 68% of citizens will advocate for an appropriate EU response. In the UK, no longer an EU member, 71% support retaliatory tariffs.
As new U.S. tariffs are set to take effect tomorrow, most Western Europeans support imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
