The European Union’s proposed tariffs against Israel represent a significant shift in its foreign policy language—a move from the soft power of diplomatic statements to the hard power of economic consequences. This change reflects a growing consensus in Brussels that words alone have failed to influence Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war.
For nearly two years, the EU has issued countless declarations, calls for ceasefires, and condemnations of violence. Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and her predecessor, Josep Borrell, have engaged in extensive diplomacy. Yet, from the EU’s perspective, these efforts have yielded little to no change in Israel’s military strategy or its approach to humanitarian aid.
The decision to propose tariffs is an admission that this traditional diplomatic toolkit has been exhausted. Tariffs are a language that economies understand directly. By threatening to impact Israel’s €15.9 billion export market in the EU, Brussels is communicating its displeasure in a way that cannot be easily dismissed as mere rhetoric.
This shift is also driven by a crisis of credibility. The EU’s inability to back up its political positions with concrete actions has led to criticism that it is a “payer, not a player” in global affairs—willing to fund causes but unwilling to take tough political stands. The sanctions proposal is an attempt to reverse this perception and demonstrate that the EU can be a serious geopolitical actor.
Whether this new language of power will be more effective remains to be seen. Israel has signaled its intent to ignore the economic threats. But for the EU, the move itself is significant, marking a deliberate pivot from persuasion to coercion in its dealings with a key regional partner.