EU’s Response to US Tariffs as Top Priority
During a meeting in Luxembourg, trade ministers from the 27 member states agreed to prioritize negotiations, as they also readied a retaliatory response.
European Union ministers on Monday broadly agreed that the bloc should prioritize negotiations to remove tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The 27-nation bloc is currently facing 25 percent import tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars, with “reciprocal” tariffs of 20 percent due to kick in from Wednesday for almost all other goods under Trump’s new policy of penalizing countries he says impose high barriers to U.S. imports.
Trade ministers met in Luxembourg on Monday to debate the EU’s response, as well as to discuss relations with China.
Many said the EU’s priority was to launch negotiations with the United States and avert an outright trade war.
Michał Baranowski, Polish undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of Poland, responsible for trade, said: “The EU deeply regrets the new U.S. tariffs and remains committed to dialogue, seeking a negotiated solution acceptable for both sides.
“Today’s Council shows the member states are united and determined to defend the interests of citizens and businesses alike.
