The Commission – which is effectively the EU’s governing body – has confirmed it was preparing a “swift, firm and decisive response” to Mr Trump’s planned 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent tariff on aluminium, amid escalating rhetoric and the threat of a damaging trade war.
European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said the issue would be dealt with by EU chiefs on Wednesday, when “commissioners will discuss our reaction, which will be swift, firm and proportionate, based along three main lines and fully compatible with WTO (World TradeOrganisation) rules”.
He told a press conference in Brussels: “When someone takes unilateral and unfair action that puts thousands of European jobs at risk we have to act.
“And if the measures announced by the US president materialise in a way that affects European interests, we shall react … in a decisive, but proportionate, and strictly WTO-compatible way.
“This is about Europe doing what it has to do to defend its interests. It is not about escalating anything.”
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Mr Trump’s announcement on Thursday has spooked politicians on the other side of the Atlantic.
Speaking after meeting Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, French President Emmanuel Macron said the planned measures amounted to “economic nationalism”.
He added: ”It is important in this context that the European Union reacts swiftly and proportionately within the WTO and in respect of the WTO.”
Meanwhile British Prime Minister Theresa May told Donald Trump in a phone call on Sunday of her “deep concern” at the president’s plans, restating her position that multilateral action” was the only way to resolve the problem of global overcapacity.
Downing Street later said the UK Government would await precise details of the US plans on steel and aluminium tariffs before commenting further.
Mrs May’s official spokesman confirmed that, while the UK remains part of the European Union, any action would come as part of an EU-wide response.
Asked whether the UK was still hopeful of striking a US trade deal after Brexit in the light of Mr Trump’s apparent shift towards protectionism, the spokesman said: “Both the Prime Minister and President have been clear on the importance of reaching a post-Brexit bilateral trade deal.
“The US is our biggest partner, we invest £500 billion in each others’ economies and over four million Americans work in UK companies, so you would expect us to remain close partners and continue to work at the highest level to make the case for UK industry to the US government.”
He added: “The Prime Minister has been clear in a number of forums, including the G20, in making the case that multi-lateral action is the way forward.
“The UK is a leading advocate for free trade and open markets and the WTO and for a global economy that works for everyone.”
There was little indication on Monday of Mr Trump backing away from his protectionist stance following his conversation with Mrs May, as he used a characteristic early-morning tweet to link steel and aluminium tariffs with his demands for renegotiation of the “bad” Nafta free trade deal with Mexico and Canada.
And a White House account of Sunday’s phone call made no mention of Mrs May’s expression of concern, stating only that they discussed “President Trump’s efforts to ensure fair and reciprocal trade”.
The tweet followed the president’s claim last week that “when a country (USA) is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win”.
In a further escalation, Mr Trump has said the US “will simply apply a TAX” on cars made in Europe if the EU retaliates against the trade penalties he is seeking on imports of steel and aluminium.