EU threatens counterpunch as US hikes steel tariffs to 50%

If you’ve got 100K+ followers, Instagram’s rolling out new comment filters to help you cut through the chaos. Think: sorting by top comments, follower count, and more. It’s all about helping brands engage smarter, but if you’re not in the 100K club yet, you’ll have to keep grinding.

• EU warns of counterpunch on US steel tariffs ⚔️
• Millions hit Walmar.com for summer ☀️
• TikTok’s new rules may cut seller reach 📉
• Crack Amazon SEO in 4 steps 🔍

HOT TOPIC

If there’s one thing you can count on in global trade right now, it’s tension—and Trump’s latest move just turned up the heat.

ABC News reported that on May 30, he doubled down on steel and aluminum tariffs, raising them from 25% to 50%. 

The goal: To protect American metalmakers.
The fallout: A growing threat of retaliation from the EU.

🚨 What the EU is planning

Earlier this year, both sides agreed to a 90-day grace period to cool things off and work out a broader trade deal.  

• We’re halfway through that pause, and the US just tossed a grenade into the mix. 
• The European Commission says it's ready with an “expanded list of countermeasures” that could kick in as early as July 14.
  • Translation: if talks tank, so does the calm.

Steel isn’t just for skyscrapers and SUVs. It’s in your canned beans, your dishwashers, your patio chairs. 

• The ripple effect is real. These new tariffs could lead to everything from manufacturing delays to rising prices at the checkout.
• And it’s not just Europe. Canada—one of the U.S.’s top suppliers—is calling for stronger retaliation too. 🌎

🧭 Where things stand

EU negotiators are still pushing for a “zero for zero” deal—no tariffs on either side for industrial goods—but Trump isn’t budging. 

If these tariffs land, U.S.-EU trade will get more expensive—quickly. Now’s the time to audit your supply chain, explore alternative sourcing, and stay sharp for any policy shifts that could shake up Q3. 🔍 📞

TOGETHER WITH WALMART MARKETPLACE

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Millions of shoppers turn to Walmart.com every summer for travel must-haves, outdoor essentials and seasonal gear. That surge in demand creates a huge opportunity for eCommerce businesses selling swim products, patio furniture, grills, camping gear and more. If you’re not selling on Walmart Marketplace yet, now’s the time to join—before summer demand heats up. 

Now’s your chance, as a new seller you’re eligible to save up to $75,000 in New-Seller Savings, Walmart’s incentive program going on now.  

It’s their biggest offer ever and includes: 

• Up to 75% off base referral fees*  
• Up to 50% off storage fees and 25% off fulfillment fees** (a $2K value)  
• $1K in advertising credits with Walmart Connect***  

Don’t wait—New Seller Savings runs through January 31, 2026, but the sooner you start, the more you can save. List your products now and make this your biggest summer yet. 

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Join Walmart Marketplace Today.

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SOCIAL PULSE

New TikTok controls could impact seller visibility

According to Social Media Today, TikTok just rolled out new controls to help users customize their “For You” feed—which means sellers need to understand how these changes could impact content reach and audience targeting.

😋 What users want matters more

The “Manage Topics” feature, now available to all users, lets people adjust their interest levels across broad categories like Creative Arts, Travel, and Sports.

• This means users can nudge TikTok to show more (or less) content in these areas.
• While it won’t block content completely, it could affect how often your videos appear if your niche falls outside popular topics.

Tip: Sellers should keep an eye on which topics their target audience engages with and tailor content accordingly to stay visible.

🧠 Avoid getting filtered out

TikTok’s new AI-powered Smart Keyword Filters let users block content with specific keywords or hashtags.

• If your content uses keywords users dislike or block, it might get filtered out more often.
• For example, brands posting renovation videos or trending topics could see limited reach if those terms are filtered by viewers.

Tip: This makes keyword strategy and hashtag use even more critical for maintaining visibility.

📣 What this means for your TikTok strategy

As users get more say in what shows up on their “For You” feed, sellers should think carefully about how their content fits into broader category preferences.

Bottom line: the algorithm is still king, but users now have more tools to shape it. Sellers who stay informed, adjust quickly, and continue to create high-quality, relevant content will have the best shot at staying visible.

TACTIC TALKS

Crack Amazon SEO with a four-phase strategy

In 2025, there are 1.9M active sellers on Amazon. Your poor SEO isn’t just a weak spot, it’s sales for your competitors. eComEngine outlined a four-phase strategy built to boost your rankings, clicks, and conversions—without wasting ad spend.

• Get indexed or get invisible. If Amazon’s A10 can’t read your listing, it can’t rank you. 🔍
  • Identify missing high-volume keywords with keyword tools
  • Analyze competitor titles, bullets, and layout for structure (not to copy)
  • Front-load titles with strong keywords—skip the dry, robotic copy
• Clean your copy and clear the clutter. Visibility is good. Conversions are better. 🧹
  • Remove duplicate keywords across listing and backend
  • Use backend space for misspellings, Spanish terms, and long-tails
  • Write clear, compelling bullet points with SEO baked in
• Dominate the strike zone. Get off page 2 and into the buyer’s path. 🎯
  • Reinforce key terms in titles, bullets, A+ content, and alt text
  • Run exact-match Sponsored Product ads to climb rankings
  • Monitor performance weekly and adjust once keywords crack the top 10
• Let Amazon's data lead you. Work smarter with the tools Amazon gives you. 📊
  • Use the Search Query Performance Report (SQPR) to see what’s working
  • Double down on high-converting terms
  • Optimize based on real results—not hunches

🌐 This is how you take back the algorithm

Amazon rewards consistency. SEO isn’t something you do once and forget—it’s a cycle of audit, action, and adjustment. Run regular checkups, rewrite with intention, and stay flexible.

The algorithm’s tough, but it’s beatable when you treat it like a system.