EU breaks silence on Donald Trump tariffs and threatens trade war | World | News
The EU has issued a blistering statementhitting out at Donald Trump’s threats to impose huge 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the US.
The levy will essentially mean a tax on the vital manufacturing materials which could massively impact producers in the UK, Europe, as well as American neighbours, Mexico and Canada.
A first statement from the European Commission called any move to impose tariffs “unlawful” and “economically counterproductive”.
Mr Trump made the startling announcement as he flew to the Super Bowl American football final in New Orleans on board his personal plane, Air Force One.
Speaking to reporters he said: “Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25% tariff.” When asked about aluminium, he added: “Aluminium, too.”
The statements from the US Commander-in-Chief mark yet another mention of tariffs in the first weeks of his presidency. Mr Trump had already alarmed neighbouring Mexico and Canada with the idea of large tariffs on goods from both countries.
But the EU Commission has hit back at Mr Trump’s comments, saying: “At this stage, we have not received any official notification regarding the imposition of additional tariffs on EU goods. We will not respond to broad announcements without details or written clarification.
“The EU sees no justification for the imposition of tariffs on its exports. We will react to protect the interests of European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified measures.
“In general: The imposition of tariffs would be unlawful and economically counterproductive, especially given the deeply integrated production chains the EU and US established through Transatlantic trade and investment.
“Tariffs are essentially taxes. By imposing tariffs, the US would be taxing its own citizens, raising costs for business, and fuelling inflation. Moreover, tariffs heighten economic uncertainty and disrupt the efficiency and integration of global markets.”
The UK has also been caught-on-the-hop by Mr Trump’s bold edict, with ministers adopting a “wait and see” approach over if the tariffs will be officially enforced.
President Trump did not offer any details, but did confirm he plans to announce on Tuesday or Wednesday other “reciprocal tariffs” on countries that have their own duties on US products.
The UK exported 166,433 tonnes of steel to the US in 2023 – the last full year for which figures are available.
Figures from trade body UK Steel showed that in 2024, some 162,716 tonnes were sent to the US, but that does not yet include data from December.
Asked on Monday morning about Mr Trump’s comments, Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle said the Government will have to “wait and see whether the president gets more specific about what he meant by that comment”.
She said: “We have a very balanced trading relationship with the US – I think £300 billion worth of trade between our countries – and I think it’s in the best interests of both of us, as longstanding allies and neighbours, that we carry on with that balanced trade.”
