EU officials are planning to use exports of life-saving medicines as leverage against Donald Trump's policies.
The bloc has identified 260 products, including antibiotics, radiation therapies and pacemakers, that the US depends on from European suppliers.
Among these are antibiotics manufactured in Italy and radiation therapy isotopes made in Germany.
The list also includes pacemakers and high-quality steel that cannot be produced in American facilities.
EU officials are not backing down against Donald Trump
REUTERS
This strategy is being considered as European governments seek ways to counter Trump's threats to European security and trade.
"The majority of radiation therapy isotopes are made in Germany," a European diplomat noted.
The semiconductor industry in the US also depends on European machines and components.
Trump has pledged to impose 25 per cent tariffs on trade from the EU.
He has also suggested he would not defend European Nato allies that fail to meet spending targets.
More recently, his decision to cut off military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine has heightened concerns.
European officials fear Trump could increase pressure on the continent if left unchallenged.
"We need to start weaponising his dependencies," a European diplomat said.
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This strategy is being considered as European governments seek ways to counter Trump's threats to European security and trade
REUTERS
Officials are turning to a document titled "Strategic dependencies and capacities", drawn up by the European Commission in 2021.
This working paper was originally created to analyse supply chains following the coronavirus pandemic.
It is now being repurposed to show EU leaders they have leverage against Trump.
"European leaders need to understand that we are not as weak as we think," the diplomat added.
Targeting healthcare exports would be controversial for ethical reasons.
The EU excluded life-saving treatments from sanctions against Russia following Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
However, the strategy is designed as a "shock treatment" to demonstrate to Trump that he cannot challenge Europe without consequences.
It is being carefully crafted to undermine Trump's promise to Americans that he will keep healthcare costs down.
This is not the first time the EU has considered trade measures against Trump.
During his first term, the bloc targeted iconic American brands with tariffs.
In 2018, the EU imposed extra taxes on Kentucky whiskey, Levi's jeans and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
These measures were a direct response to Trump's levies of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium imports from Europe.
Beyond trade measures, the EU is planning to invest £671.2billion in defence.
This massive investment aims to reduce Europe's reliance on Washington for security.
France has initiated discussions about extending its nuclear umbrella to other European nations.
These talks are part of a broader strategy to achieve strategic autonomy as the United States potentially reduces its presence on the continent.
