The European Union is preparing to implement countermeasures in response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, with plans to unveil these measures by mid-April. This initiative follows the introduction of tariffs on European steel and aluminum, prompting the EU Commission to draft a list of goods subject to retaliation. The proposed list includes a variety of items, such as steel and aluminum products, textiles, leather goods, household appliances, tools, furniture, plastic, rubber, wood products, and industrial machinery. Additionally, the Commission recommends imposing tariffs on agricultural products, including poultry, beef, certain seafood, almonds, eggs, dairy products, sugar, and vegetables. This information has been shared with several entities, including the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has been reviewed by various media outlets. According to an analysis by the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Kommerskollegium), the most imported products from the United States include clothing, wine, lawnmowers, and plastic items. Nearly half of all American consumer goods imported into Sweden could be affected by the proposed tariffs, which are anticipated to result in higher prices for consumers. The Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade has stated that most of the affected products have viable alternatives for consumers. The planned tariffs would impact approximately 7% of the goods imported from the United States, which amounted to over four billion Swedish kronor last year. While the specific rates for the tariffs remain undetermined, the introduction of a new extensive tariff package by the U.S. President has led to speculation that the EU's response may involve even higher tariffs on a broader range of goods. The Minister for Foreign Trade indicated that the previous list of retaliatory products was merely a response to the tariffs on steel and aluminum. In light of the new U.S. tariffs, the upcoming countermeasures will likely be more extensive, potentially targeting additional consumer brands produced in the U.S., such as orange juice, motorcycles, boats, and other interchangeable items. This strategy aims to exert pressure on U.S. politicians to consider reducing tariffs in the future. The EU's counter-tariffs could represent close to 200 billion Swedish kronor, according to the analysis from Kommerskollegium. This is in addition to tariffs that took effect on April 1, which included products like bourbon, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and jeans. However, the EU's response must be measured and should avoid escalating the situation into a trade war. The goal is not to impose retaliatory tariffs but to encourage a reconsideration of U.S. tariffs, as their continuation may have adverse effects. The United States is a crucial trading partner for Sweden, and any additional tariffs could significantly impact various sectors, including construction, automotive, glass manufacturing, furniture production, and electronics. In a response to the EU Commission, Sweden has requested that five categories of American goods included in the EU's proposed list be exempted to protect Swedish industry. These items, ranging from pallets to nuts and mirrors, are essential inputs for sectors such as pulp production, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The Swedish government aims to avoid imposing tariffs on critical input goods that are vital for domestic industries. The objective is to target tariffs at items that consumers can easily substitute, thereby minimizing the economic impact on Swedish consumers. An extraordinary meeting of the EU's trade ministers is scheduled for Monday to discuss the proposed counter-tariffs, which are expected to be revealed later in April.