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EU Finalizes Response to US Tariffs, Eyes Negotiation Path
The European Union is preparing a counterstrategy in response to the United States’ recent imposition of 20% tariffs on all EU imports, a move that has escalated trade tensions between the two blocs. Despite warnings of a firm and quick response, the EU continues to finalize its countermeasures, aiming to avoid a full-scale trade war while keeping the door open for future negotiations.
The tariffs, announced by the US government on Wednesday, are the latest in a series of trade confrontations, following earlier duties imposed by the Trump administration on steel, aluminium, and cars. The EU, already dealing with the economic fallout of these earlier tariffs, is now faced with an additional 20% duty on all imports, adding complexity to its response.
“We are buying the space we need to negotiate with the Americans and are looking to target our response effectively,” said an EU official on Thursday. The EU’s approach will focus on limiting economic pain for its member states while also taking into account the potential impact on the US if necessary.
To counter the US tariffs, the EU is considering a range of retaliatory measures, including the targeting of US products in a two-phase response. The first set of countermeasures could be implemented by mid-April, with additional tariffs potentially coming into play by the end of the month. These tariffs could extend to key sectors such as cars, pharmaceuticals, steel, and semiconductors. Furthermore, the EU is contemplating using an “anti-coercion” tool adopted in 2023, which could affect US business licenses and intellectual property rights.
“We are not taking any option off the table,” stated a senior EU official. “Any response will be proportionate; we are not in the business of escalating but of solving things.” The EU’s goal is to navigate the situation without provoking further conflict, and it intends to employ these countermeasures as a means to incentivize the US to engage in meaningful negotiations rather than as a punitive measure.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is scheduled to speak with US counterparts on Friday via video call in an attempt to keep diplomatic channels open. The EU has emphasized its desire to negotiate from a “fair position” and a “position of strength.” As one senior EU official explained, the ultimate aim is not to punish but to create an environment that encourages negotiation.
The US has long maintained that the EU imposes a blanket 5% tariff on US imports, while EU officials point out that the average tariff the US applies to EU imports is 1.4%, slightly higher than the EU’s 1.2% average on US goods. The EU is keen to negotiate reductions in these tariffs, striving for a balanced and reciprocal agreement.
Negotiations are expected to focus heavily on five sectors that are critical to US interests: cars, aluminium and steel, semiconductors, lumber, and pharmaceuticals. These industries are expected to be the most contentious areas of discussion as both sides seek to resolve the trade impasse.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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