European Commission Threatens Trump with “Decisive” Response to Tariff Decision
The European Commission has warned of a “decisive and proportionate” response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum.
On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated in a press release,
“Unjustified tariffs imposed on the European Union will not go unanswered: they necessitate decisive
and proportionate countermeasures.” This statement comes in the wake of Trump’s executive order on
Monday, which mandates a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. without
exceptions, effective from March 12.
Von der Leyen expressed her “deep regret” over the decision.
Germany Warns Against the Wrong Path
German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, from the Social Democratic Party, emphasized a collective EU response during the last session of the German Bundestag in this legislative period. “If the United States leaves us no other choice, the European Union will respond in unison,” Scholz said, highlighting the EU’s strength as the world’s largest market with over 450 million inhabitants. He expressed hope to avoid a path of tariffs and counter-tariffs, noting, “Trade wars always end with both parties losing prosperity.”
France: We Must Respond Decisively
French Industry Minister Marc Fesneau, speaking to TF1, stressed the need for a “decisive and unified” European response to Trump’s tariffs. He hopes for an imminent reaction from Europe.
The European Commission is the sole body authorized to negotiate trade agreements or make decisions on tariffs on behalf of the 27 member states, which then ratify these decisions.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic considers this scenario a “mutual loss.” The new tariffs are likely to significantly impact the European steel industry, already struggling with international competition.
An EU diplomat on Tuesday remarked, “We’ve been through this before” during Trump’s first term,
indicating that the Commission knows what steps to take.
During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump imposed strict tariffs on steel and aluminum to protect
American industries, accusing Asian and European countries of unfair competition.
Von der Leyen is scheduled to meet with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on Tuesday on the sidelines of the AI Summit in Paris, co-hosted by France and India.
This article reflects the EU’s stance on recent U.S. tariff impositions, emphasizing the potential for a
significant trade dispute and the actions the EU might take in response.
