As Washington gets ready to impose additional trade actions on April 2nd through reciprocal tariffs, a significant number of European Union citizens from countries such as Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden favor implementing countermeasures against goods imported from the United States, reveals a YouGov poll released on Tuesday.
Over sixty-nine percent of residents in these six significant European Union countries expressed their support for such retaliatory measures, with Danish participants exhibiting the highest approval rate at seventy-nine percent. In contrast, Italian respondents showed the lowest level of endorsement, with only fifty-nine percent in favor.
The findings underscore growing dissatisfaction among Europeans regarding U.S. trade policies, with people expecting considerable economic impacts within their own nations.
The Germans, particularly those in the influential auto industry who face potential US tariffs as high as 25% on vehicles, anticipate significant repercussions for their country’s economy. The survey indicates that 75% think these tariffs will exert considerable or substantial influence, including 31% who predict "a great deal" of effect specifically.
According to the study, 70% of the French hold negative views regarding the effect of US tariffs on EU products within their nation's economic landscape. France stands out as being disproportionately affected, notably following former President Donald Trump's threat to enforce 200% duties on wine and spirits imports. This action has raised significant worry amongst French manufacturers and traders, who anticipate substantial damage to what is arguably one of France’s signature sectors.
The survey revealed that precisely 70% of Italians believe US tariffs on European Union products will significantly affect their economy, even though they exhibit less backing for retaliatory actions.
The European Commission announced A variety of retaliatory measures were implemented against a selection of American products following the implementation of U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for prudence in Europe's reaction to US tariffs. "Indeed, there are discrepancies regarding these tariffs; however, because of this, I believe it is crucial that our actions be well-considered rather than impulsive," she stated at a gathering with members of the opposition on March 29th.
Europeans also indicated they don't buy US President Donald Trump's narrative that the EU treats the US unfairly due to its tariffs on cars and trade surplus, with from 40% to 67% saying the bloc has been fair in its trade relations with Washington.
Last week, Washington introduced 25% tariffs on imported cars, prompting Brussels to pledge a strong reaction. "calibrated" Countermeasures will be implemented when the tariffs come into force on Wednesday, following which the complete extent of US reciprocal duties – whose specifics have yet to be revealed – will be made public.
For this study, a total of 7,300 citizens were surveyed across six European countries.
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