“The EU will act to protect its economic interests,” the official said in a statement, following the announcement by US President Donald Trump that imports of both products would be subject to a 25 percent levy when entering the United States, regardless of the country of origin.

According to Von der Leyen, “unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered, they will trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures,” although he did not anticipate possible actions.

“I deeply regret the US decision to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminum exports.”

“Tariffs are taxes: bad for business, worse for consumers,” considered the president of the European Commission.

ef/abo/mem/mjm