When the US slapped a 25% tariff on EU aluminium and steel in mid-March it fired the opening salvo in a trade tussle between the long-time allies which subsequently saw 25% tariffs slapped on imports of EU cars into the US and a blanket 10% tariff on other imports. EU officials, caught between diplomatic outrage and the economic realities of safeguarding EU industries, announced a series of counter-measures, which were suspended after US President Donald Trump proclaimed a 90-day pause on a round of so-called reciprocal tariffs, which would lift the 10% blanket levy to 20%.
But this is far from the first time the EU and US have locked horns over trade.
