The European Union has said it will respond “firmly and immediately” to 25% tariffs on imports from the bloc that the U.S. president has promised to announce.
At his first cabinet meeting, Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that the EU was “formed in order to screw the U.S.” and said he would soon impose steep tariffs on “cars, and all of the things.”
In response, the European Commission said on Wednesday it would react “firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade.”
“The EU will always protect European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified tariffs,” a Commission spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.
“The European Union is the world’s largest free market. And it has been a boon for the United States,” the spokesperson added.
The statement argued that “the EU has facilitated trade, reduced costs for U.S. exporters, and harmonized standards and regulations across 27 countries.
“As a result, U.S. investments in Europe are highly profitable.
“Europe stands for dialogue, openness and reciprocity,” the statement added. “We’re ready to partner if you play by the rules. But we will also protect our consumers and businesses at every turn. They expect no less from us.”
A French government spokesperson said that a trade war was in no one’s interests but that the EU would respond to U.S. tariffs if necessary.
“If we must respond, we will respond,” Sophie Primas told private broadcaster BFM TV on Thursday, adding that “the European Union has not been created to bother the United States.”
In response, the European Commission said on Wednesday it would react “firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade.”
“The EU will always protect European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified tariffs,” a Commission spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.
“The European Union is the world’s largest free market. And it has been a boon for the United States,” the spokesperson added.
The statement argued that “the EU has facilitated trade, reduced costs for U.S. exporters, and harmonized standards and regulations across 27 countries.
“As a result, U.S. investments in Europe are highly profitable.
“Europe stands for dialogue, openness and reciprocity,” the statement added. “We’re ready to partner if you play by the rules. But we will also protect our consumers and businesses at every turn. They expect no less from us.”
A French government spokesperson said that a trade war was in no one’s interests but that the EU would respond to U.S. tariffs if necessary.
“If we must respond, we will respond,” Sophie Primas told private broadcaster BFM TV on Thursday, adding that “the European Union has not been created to bother the United States.”
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