The European Commission stated that the European Union sees no justification for the imposition of tariffs on its exports to the United States, in its initial response to Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum.
While emphasizing that it has not yet received any formal notification regarding additional tariffs on EU products, the Commission made it clear that it does not intend to respond to vague announcements lacking details or written clarifications. However, it firmly warned: “We will react to protect the interests of European businesses, workers, and consumers from unjustified measures.”
The European Commission also underlined that imposing tariffs would be both illegal and economically counterproductive, particularly given the deeply integrated supply chains between the EU and the US through transatlantic trade and investment.
Furthermore, the Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, pointed out that tariffs are essentially taxes. “By imposing tariffs, the US will tax its own citizens, increase costs for businesses, and fuel inflation. Additionally, tariffs heighten economic uncertainty and disrupt the efficiency and integration of global markets.”
Earlier on Monday, French Minister of Foreign Trade Jean-Noël Barrot stated that the EU would respond to Trump’s latest tariff announcement. Speaking to French television network TF1, he emphasized that France and its European partners “must not hesitate to defend their interests against the US tariff threats.”
Last week, Donald Trump set the stage for the tariff measures he had pledged during his presidential campaign, initially targeting Canada, Mexico, and China—though he later suspended the tariffs for Canada and Mexico.
On Sunday, he confirmed the imposition of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports to the US.
According to current and former US officials, this is just the beginning. Many anticipate that there is much more to come regarding what has become one of Trump’s signature economic policies: tariffs.
