European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that the EU will retaliate against any unfair U.S. tariffs, while emphasizing that the United States remains Europe's closest partner.
In a statement ahead of the Munich Security Conference, she stressed:اضافة اعلان
"We want to continue working well with the United States, but at the same time, we believe that trade wars, such as punitive tariffs, benefit no one."
She further clarified that there are no winners in tariff disputes, and that any unfair U.S. tariffs against the EU would not go unanswered.
EU to Take "Proportionate and Clear Countermeasures"
Von der Leyen's comments come shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump signed two executive orders imposing a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports.
Trump asserted that these tariffs would apply to all countries without exception, though foreign companies producing steel and aluminum within the U.S. would be exempt.
However, he clarified that the tariffs would not be uniform across all nations, as they would be adjusted based on market conditions, value-added taxes, and non-tariff barriers.
Regarding the EU, Trump acknowledged that trade relations between the bloc and Washington are "highly complex". Meanwhile, his trade advisor Peter Navarro defended the decision, arguing that major exporting nations have been imposing "punitive tariffs" on the U.S.
A White House official, speaking anonymously, revealed that the administration is assessing key trade imbalances and is expected to finalize its evaluations within weeks or months, paving the way for further tariff decisions.
Since his second term began last month, Trump has initiated a wave of tariffs on major U.S. trading partners, including China, the EU, and others, citing the need to correct "unfair practices" and boost government revenues.
