European Commission Chairman Ursula von der Leyen said “a solid and proportional measure” was being considered accordingly.
The European Union’s top official warned that blocs of 27 countries would implement retaliatory tariffs against the United States following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25% obligations on aluminum and steel imports.
“The EU will act to protect its economic interests. We will protect workers, businesses and consumers,” she said.
EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic on Tuesday said the US decision to impose tariffs would increase inflation but aims to find an agreement that benefits both the EU and the US. Ta.
“The EU sees no justification for the imposition of tariffs on exports, which are economically counterproductive,” Sefcovic said, and the EU “examines the measures announced overnight and have solidified its measures. We will respond proportionally.”
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The US tariffs, which will take effect on March 12, apply to imports of millions of tons of steel and aluminum from Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea and other countries entering the United States.
Leaders from other countries were also critical of tariffs. Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Tuesday that the tariff decision was unfair and unfair. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said tariffs were unacceptable.
Trump’s decision on Monday simplifies tariffs on metals so “everyone can understand exactly what that means,” the president said. “It’s 25% without exceptions or exemptions. No matter where you come from, it’s all countries.”
Trump said there were mutual tariffs in all countries that impose duties on US goods over the next two days, and he also saw tariffs on cars, semiconductors and drugs.
When asked about the threat of retaliation by other countries over his new tariffs, Trump said, “I don’t care.”
Since taking office on January 20th, Trump has frequently warned that he will impose tariffs on other countries on issues such as fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration to the United States. He also says he is trying to put his duties on behalf of the United States because he believes that the United States is being treated unfairly by other countries.
During the 2024 campaign, he said he would implement tariffs on goods and hopes manufacturing will return to the US.
“We see these sky old and beautiful steel factories and factories falling in the sky,” Trump said at a campaign event in October 2024. “We’re bringing back our companies. We’re going to cut taxes on companies that are trying to manufacture products in the US. And we’ll protect those companies with strong tariffs.”
Earlier this month, Trump over immigration and drug trafficking on all products from Canada and Mexico before agreeing to delay tariffs until March after consultations with Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sinbaum. He said he would be incurring a 25% tariff.
He imposed an additional 10% tariff on China earlier this month, saying that China’s communist regime could not prevent domestic production of fentanyl precursor chemicals.
Reuters contributed to this report.
