Šefčovič to visit Washington as trade war looms

The EU maintains some of the lowest tariffs in the world and sees no justification for increased US tariffs on its exports,

the Commission said in a statement

We will use our tools to safeguard our economic security and interests. And we will protect our workers, businesses and consumers at every turn,

she said at the Munich Security Conference on Friday

But as I've already made clear, unjustified tariffs on the European Union will not go unanswered."

The Commission chief warned

A stronger Europe works with the United States to deter the threats we have in common as partners... And this is why we believe trade wars and punitive tariffs make no sense. Tariffs act like a tax that drive inflation."

She said

The EU will take firm and immediate action against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, including when tariffs are used to challenge legitimate and non-discriminatory policies,

the Commission said

Tariffs are taxes. By imposing tariffs, the US is taxing its own citizens, raising costs for business, stifling growth and fuelling inflation,

it said

For decades, the EU has worked with trading partners like the U.S. to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers worldwide, reinforcing this openness through binding commitments in the rules-based trading system — commitments that the US is now undermining,

the Commission said

Simon Harrisforeign Affairs

There is a window for negotiation,

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris said in a statement

Especially with a personality like Trump, if we don’t react, he’ll trample us,

says Jean-Luc Demarty, who headed the Commission’s trade department during Trump’s first term

António Costaeuropean Council President

The EU stands united in defending the interests of its businesses, workers and citizens,

European Council President Antonio Costa said on X, expressing solidarity with von der Leyen

Losing a significant part of these exports cannot be compensated by EU exports to other markets,

Adam said

Tariffs are taxes — bad for business, worse for consumers,

she said

However, it is unlikely that the EU will get a quick and effective exemption from Washington's tariffs because President Trump likes more protectionism than alliances, does not respect the WTO, and deeply believes the EU is not competing fairly with the US, whether they are political allies or not,

she told China Daily

It will further worsen the situation in the European steel industry, exacerbating an already dire market environment,

he said in a statement on Tuesday

Tariffs are not only harmful for the trading partners directly involved, but also risk having disruptive effects for many others, as well as the global trading system as a whole, ... it is a lose-lose scenario

he said, adding

To protect its interests, the EU must turn to cooperation with China to jointly respond to the ongoing challenge to world trade by the US because a united front of all 27 EU member states will not be enough,

she said