The European Union on Wednesday adopted its first measures hitting back at U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught, targeting more than 20 billion euros of U.S. products including soybeans, motorcycles and beauty products, the European Commission said.

The EU considers U.S. tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy, it said in a statement.

The European Commission proposed the retaliatory duties on Monday, setting most at 25 percent. The tariffs target a range of U.S. imports in response to Washington's levies on steel and aluminum.

The list spans from agricultural to industrial products such as soybeans, poultry, tobacco, iron, motorcycles, dental floss, and both steel and aluminum. These goods totaled around 22 billion euros ($24.36 billion) last year.

The tariffs will be introduced in three stages. The first set, on goods like cranberries and orange juice, will take effect April 15. A second round, covering items such as steel, meat, white chocolate and polyethylene, will follow on May 16. The final phase, targeting almonds and soybeans, is scheduled for December 1.

The European Commission repeated its preference "to find negotiated outcomes with the U.S., which would be balanced and mutually beneficial."

"These countermeasures can be suspended at any time, should the U.S. agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome," it said.

The retaliation does not yet respond to two recent U.S. trade actions: the 20 percent "reciprocal" tariffs on all EU exports that took effect on Wednesday, and the 25 percent levies on automobiles. The Trump administration has further warned of forthcoming tariffs on pharmaceuticals.

(With input from agencies)