European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will hold a joint press conference with Antonio Costa at the end of the Council of Europe summit held in Brussels, Belgium on March 20, 2025.
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The European Union is preparing measures to counter the latest tariffs from US President Donald Trump if negotiations with the White House fail, said Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission.
Trump imposed a 20% tax on the block on Wednesday, and he signed a drastic and offensive “mutual tariff” policy. More than 180 countries and territories are covered by these new obligations on the list released by Trump and the White House.
In a live streamed broadcast early on Thursday, EU chief von der Reyen suggested that the Bullock is ready to retaliate against the US steps against it.
“We’re ready to respond,” she said. “We are preparing further measures to protect our profits and business if negotiations fail.”
Von Der Leyen said in search of negotiations that the EU will work on reducing barriers rather than raising them.
“It’s not too late to address concerns through negotiations,” she said. “Let’s move from conflict to negotiation.”
Maros Sefcovic, EU’s chairman of Trade and Economic Security, said he will speak to his US counterpart on Friday on Thursday.
“Unfair tariffs inevitably backfire. We act in a gentle, careful, step-by-step, unified way, as we calibrate our responses, with ample time for consultation.
“I’ll talk to my US counterpart tomorrow.”
“Untilized Results”
Von der Reyen condemned Trump’s move, saying it was a “big blow” and a “big pain” for the global economy.
“There seems to be no order in obstacles, and there is no clear path to the complexity and chaos that is being created when all US trading partners are hit,” von der Reyen said.
She also warned of “immense consequences,” saying the effects would be felt quickly and would be negatively affected by consumers and businesses around the world.
“Uncertainty swirls and causes further rise of protectionism, and the consequences will be disastrous for millions of people around the world.
The EU will work to support affected sectors, including steel, automobiles, pharmaceuticals and other industries, von der Reyen noted.
The EU chief said he agreed that some countries are bringing unfair benefits to current rules in global trade, and that the EU is ready to support efforts to “fit the reality of the world economy.”
However, she also warned that you will reach the US tariffs as your first and last tools will not fix it.
Previous EU measures
Von Der Leyen said on Thursday that fresh measures against the US would expand the EU’s already ongoing population.
The Bullock had announced retaliatory tariffs last month after the US imposed tariffs, stating measures aimed at protecting European workers and consumers. At the time, the EU said it would introduce anti-crime on US goods worth 26 billion euros ($28 billion).
Previously, previously suspended obligations, which were at least partially in place during Trump’s first term as president, are set to be reintroduced along with numerous additional obligations on further products.
It is set to include industrial grade steel and aluminum, other semi-finished and finished products of steel and aluminum, as well as derivative commercial products such as mechanical parts and knitting needles. A variety of other products were also on the EU list, including bourbon, produce, leather products and home appliances.
After the postponement, these tariffs are expected to come into effect around mid-April.
