Brussels: The European Union on Tuesday pledged to respond "firmly" and take "proportionate" action against the US decision to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminum exports.
According to Kuwait News Agency, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her "deep regret" over the US decision, emphasizing that the tariffs are detrimental to businesses and even more so to consumers. Von der Leyen stated that "Tariffs taxes are bad for business, worse for consumers." She added that the "unjustified" tariffs on the EU "will not go unanswered," warning that they will lead to "firm and proportionate countermeasures."
Von der Leyen further assured that the EU would take steps to protect its economic interests, stating: "We will protect our workers, businesses, and consumers." On Monday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports. The order also removed exceptions for countries and agreements concerning quotas, as well as hundreds of thousands of product-specific tariff exemptions for both metals. A White House official confirmed that the measures will take effect on March 4.