Headlines

EU's tariff response should target Republican-led US states and tech firms, Austria says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 3, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 24, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
EU's tariff response should target Republican-led US states and tech firms, Austria says
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

Austria Urges EU to Target Republican States in Tariff Plan

VIENNA (Reuters) - The European Union's countermeasures in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's universal tariffs should target Republican-led states and tech firms so as to force him to the negotiating table, Austria's economy minister said on Thursday.

"We have to hit Republican states and we have to hit Donald Trump's friends, the tech companies," Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, a conservative, told a news conference, adding that the EU would have to discuss digital taxation and regulation.

(Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Alison Williams)

Key Takeaways

  • Austria's economy minister suggests targeting Republican-led states.
  • The EU's response aims to bring the US to the negotiating table.
  • Digital taxation and regulation are key discussion points.
  • Tech companies are identified as potential targets.
  • The strategy is a response to US President Trump's tariffs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The article discusses Austria's proposal for the EU to target Republican-led US states and tech firms in response to US tariffs.
Why target Republican states?
Targeting Republican states is seen as a strategy to pressure the US administration into negotiations.
What role do tech firms play?
Tech firms are identified as influential entities that could be targeted to apply pressure on the US government.

Related Articles

More from Headlines

Explore more articles in the Headlines category