Trade war is on: From meat to toilet paper, EU imposes $28 billion in tariffs on U.S. products, making goods more expensive for billions and pushing global economies toward recession

The 27-country bloc faces 25 per cent import tariffs on steel and aluminium and cars and 'reciprocal' tariffs of 20 per cent from Wednesday for almost all other goods. President Trump's tariffs cover some 70 per cent of the EU's exports to the United States — worth in total 532 billion euros ($585 billion) last year — with likely duties on copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and timber still to come.

When Trump hit steel and aluminium imports with a 25 percent tariff in March, the EU decided on «an eye for an eye» approach.

«We will react in areas where it hurts the United States,» a senior EU official said. Officials have previously said the EU will target goods from politically important US states, including soybeans produced in Louisiana, the home of US Speaker Mike Johnson, who pushes Trump's agenda in Congress.

The is happening even though, President Trump's one of the closest advisers billionaire Elon Musk told Italy League leader Matteo Salvini on Saturday that he hoped in the future the US and Europe could create «a very close, stronger partnership» and reach a «zero-tariff zone.» Musk spoke to Salvini in a video conference during the League's congress in Florence. Salvini is the leader of the far-right, anti-migrant League party and vice premier of the Italian conservative government led by Premier Giorgia Meloni.

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EU Target List

The European Commission, which coordinates EU trade policy, will propose to members late on Monday a list of U.S. products to hit with extra duties in response to Trump's steel and aluminium tariffs rather than the broader reciprocal levies.

It is set to include U.S. meat, cereals, wine, wood and clothing as well as chewing gum, dental floss, vacuum cleaners and