European supermarket chains with operations in the United States risk being drawn into a trade war following Donald Trump’s announcement of an unprecedented wave of import tariffs. These are my no means small players: think of Ahold Delhaize, Aldi (Nord and Süd) and Lidl.
A crucial market
The new tariffs will affect nearly all imported goods entering the United States, introducing a base rate of 10 %, with an additional punitive rate of 20 % for goods from the European Union and an even steeper 34 % surcharge (on top of the existing 20 %) for imports from China. While initial observers expect the impact – particularly price increases – hit American consumers much harder than Europeans, it is worth considering the potential consequences for leading European food retailers with substantial US operations.
