France has announced that the European Union will retaliate against U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated on Monday that France and its European partners will defend their interests against U.S. tariff threats.
“Of course we will respond,” Barrot told TF1 television. “We should not hesitate to defend our interests. This is already what Donald Trump did in 2018, and we responded. We will again respond.”
On Sunday, President Trump announced plans to introduce new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States, escalating trade tensions with key international partners.
Barrot mentioned that the European Commission would determine which sectors would be affected by the EU’s response. “It is ready to pull the trigger when the time has come. Now, this time has come. It is in no one’s interest to start a commercial war with the European Union,” he said.
The European Commission, meanwhile, stated that it has “not received any official notification” of additional duties from the United States. “We will not respond to broad announcements without details or written clarification,” the Commission said in a statement. “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.”
The escalating trade tensions have raised concerns about a potential trade war between the United States and the European Union, which could have significant implications for global markets and economies.
