The European Commission voted on Wednesday to impose retaliatory tariffs on American goods in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to levy a tariff on European steel and aluminum.

The commission plans to impose tariffs on more than $20 billion of U.S. goods in response to the 25% tariff Trump placed on European steel and aluminum. The response comes as an additional 20% tariff on imports from the European Union went into effect at midnight on Wednesday. 

“The EU considers US tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy,” the European Union said in a joint statement. “The EU has stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the US, which would be balanced and mutually beneficial.”

Tariffs will be applied to American products like soybeans, meat, iron, steel, textiles, tobacco, and ice cream, according to a copy of the plan obtained by The Washington Post. The outlet reported that the EU approved levies up to 25% on various U.S. products.

The body said that the retaliatory actions, which will be implemented on April 15, could be “suspended at any time” if the United States “agrees to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome.” 

The retaliatory action was opposed by Hungary, which was the only country in the European Commission to vote against the proposal. 

“Escalation is not the answer. Such measures would cause further damage to European economy and citizens by raising prices. The only way forward is negotiations, not retaliation,” Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó posted on X. 

More retaliatory actions by the European Commission are expected to follow this first round. This retaliation “will take account not only of European imports, but also of other ways in which we can respond,” according to French Economic Minister Eric Lombard.

“The idea is that, with these extremely strong, extremely powerful measures, we can get to the negotiating table on an equal footing, so that both sides of these duties can be lowered and all our economic sectors protected,” he said. 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to visit the White House on April 17 to speak with Trump about the tariffs. 

On Monday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union would be willing to negotiate with the United States for zero tariffs on industrial goods. 

“Europe is ready to negotiate with the U.S. We have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods because we’re always ready for a good deal,” she said. “But we’re also prepared to respond with countermeasures. And protect ourselves against indirect effects through trade diversion.”

Other countries have also retaliated against the U.S. tariffs, with China announcing plans to levy an 84% tariff on all American goods. In response, the Trump administration has stood by its approach, saying that it would look to make trade deals more favorable to the United States.