European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed on Tuesday that US tariffs on steel and aluminium “will not go unanswered”, adding that they will trigger tough countermeasures from the 27-nation bloc.
“The EU will act to safeguard its economic interests. We will protect our workers, businesses and consumers,” von der Leyen said in a statement in reaction to Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium announced the previous day.
“Tariffs are taxes – bad for business, worse for consumers,” von der Leyen said. “Unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered – they will trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures.”
In Germany, home to the EU’s largest economy, Chancellor Olaf Scholz told parliament that “if the US leaves us no other choice, then the European Union will react, united”, adding that “ultimately, trade wars always cost both sides prosperity”.
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic called it a “a lose-lose scenario”, also warning that tariffs were “economically counterproductive”.
“By imposing tariffs, the US will be taxing its own citizens, raising costs for its own business, and fuelling inflation,” he told the EU parliament in Strasbourg.
Earlier in the day, French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci said Europe should respond in a firm and united manner to Trump‘s latest tariff announcement.
French President Emmanuel Macron told CNN in an interview aired Sunday that tariffs on European goods would mean higher prices for Americans.
Trump on Monday announced plans to substantially raise tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to a flat 25 percent “without exceptions or exemptions” in a move he hopes will aid struggling industries in the United States but which risks sparking a multi-front trade war.
(FRANCE 214 with Reuters, AFP and AP)
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