Potato products part of potential EU counter-tariffs

Potatoes are among the products the European Union says it will raise tariffs on in response to threatened Trump administration action if an agreement is not reached.

Increases included on the list, announced July 25, are:

• Seed potatoes, increasing from 4.5% to 34.5%
• Fresh potatoes, increasing from 5.8% to 11.5% to 35.8% to 41.5%
• Dehydrated potatoes, increasing from 12.2% to 32.2%
• Frozen fries, increasing from 14.4% to 44.1%

“Today’s announcement is not a huge surprise given this global tariff volatility,” National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles said in a statement. “NPC has raised caution over the unfair trade situation with the EU in regard to frozen fries and other potato lines. This announcement further highlights that unfair playing field and reinforces our original position.”

Escalating tariffs were avoided when a deal was reached over the Aug. 2-3 weekend. Under the announcement, agricultural commodities and a number of other EU products entering the U.S. will receive a flat 15% tariff. This includes frozen fries entering the U.S. and is an increase of 7% over the current 8% duty.

The proposed increases would have been part of EU counter-tariffs on $109 billion worth of U.S. goods that went effect Aug. 7, according to Reuters. The European Commission prepared two sets of counter-tariffs, which would have been combined into one and submitted for approval to EU members.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed optimism that a deal could be reached before that sentiment became reality. The deal would likely include a 15% baseline tariff on all EU goods entering the U.S., as well as a 50% tariff on European steel and aluminum, officials told Reuters.

Trump has threatened to impose a 30% tariff on all imports from the 27-country EU if a deal is not reached by Aug. 1.

Imports from the EU totaled $605 billion in 2024, according to Politico.