---
title: "EU plans Trump-style import curbs on food, FT reports"
description: "Feb 16 (Reuters) - The European Union plans to block imports of certain foods made to different standards in an effort to protect its farmers, echoing U.S. President Donald Trump's reciprocal trade policy, the Financial Times reported on Sunday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-16-eu-plans-trump-style-import-curbs-on-food-ft-reports/"
published: "2025-02-16T21:16:58"
updated: "2025-02-16T21:17:00"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 113
---

# EU plans Trump-style import curbs on food, FT reports

> Feb 16 (Reuters) - The European Union plans to block imports of certain foods made to different standards in an effort to protect its farmers, echoing U.S. President Donald Trump's reciprocal trade policy, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

By Reuters · Published 16 February 2025, 23:16 SAST · Updated 16 February 2025, 23:17 SAST

## Key points
- In a bid to protect its own farmers from the pesticide party across the pond, the European Commission is gearing up to throw a few import restrictions at American crops, leaving Trump to rally his troops for a fair trade showdown.
- European Commission set to consider stricter import limits next week, according to unnamed officials.
- Initial targets may include U.S. soybeans produced with banned pesticides.
- Trump administration emphasizes commitment to fair trade and support for American farmers.
- White House seeks to expand global markets for high-quality American products.

## Content

The European Commission will agree next week to explore tougher import limits, the newspaper said, citing three officials it did not name.

Early targets could include U.S. crops such as soybeans grown using pesticides that EU farmers are not allowed to use, the report said.

"As President Trump has continuously stated, he is fighting for fair and reciprocal trade and will stand up for American farmers. We will continue to look to open markets all over the world for high-quality American products," a White House official said when asked about the FT report.

(Reporting by Nilutpal Timsina in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington; Editing by William Mallard and Lisa Shumaker)