EU will respond "immediately" to "unjustified" US tariffs
The European Union will respond "strongly and immediately" to "unjustified barriers to free and fair trade." This was stated by the European Commission on Friday morning in response to the announcement of reciprocal tariffs by US President Donald Trump. According to the Commission, these tariffs are "a step in the wrong direction."
Trump announced on Thursday that he would impose reciprocal tariffs on both US allies and rivals to eliminate trade inequalities. He had previously announced tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and aluminium.
Burden to Europe and the US
"The tariffs applied by the EU are among the lowest in the world, and it sees no justification for higher US tariffs on its exports," the Commission said in a statement. It also reiterated that "by imposing tariffs, the US is burdening its own citizens, increasing costs for companies, limiting growth, and fueling inflation."
The Commission criticised the US for undermining agreements that were made to lower trade barriers. "We believe in trade partnerships that are mutually beneficial and balanced, based on transparency and fairness," it said.
"The EU will respond firmly and immediately to unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legal and non-discriminatory policies," the Commission warned.
The EU has previously promised a strong response to the announced tariffs on steel and aluminium. The specifics of this response remain unknown, but when Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium in 2018, the EU retaliated with tariffs on products such as American jeans, bourbon and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. EU trade ministers discussed the issue earlier this week and emphasised that the EU must be united in its response.
US president Donald Trump © PHOTO FRANCIS CHUNG / CNP via ZUMA PRESS WIRE
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