The United States is threatening 30 percent tariffs on EU goods, risking a trade war as Brussels readies $84 billion in potential countermeasures. Talks continue amid fears of economic fallout and efforts to secure new trade deals worldwide.

The EU – the United States' biggest trading partner – had been scheduled to impose "countermeasures" starting Monday at midnight in Brussels

European trade ministers were hopeful for a negotiated trade deal after Trump announced 30% tariffs on the European Union.

European automakers are storing thousands of cars at ports in Europe holding out hope that US President Donald Trump will eventually relent and lower, or perhaps even abandon, sweeping tariffs. However, this appears to be increasingly unlikely and vehicles may continue to pile up at ports.

Tariffs expand: The administration has already imposed a 30% tariff on Chinese goods and is planning similar tariffs on imports from Mexico and the European Union, the nation’s top trading partners, as part of its push to reshape global trade in favor of U.S. manufacturing and jobs.

All but one of the 27 EU member countries voted to impose tariffs on specific U.S. products. The vote came before President Trump announced a 90-day pause on U.S. tariffs on goods from most countries.

President Donald Trump posted letters to the leaders of Mexico and the European Union, saying they had not done enough to head off the new tariffs.

President Donald Trump's 30% tariffs on European Union goods could drive up costs across the world's alcohol trade. The EU is eyeing retaliatory measures.