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We will react to protect the interests of European businesses, workers, and consumers – announced the European Commission, commenting on the tariffs on steel and aluminum from the EU announced by US President Donald Trump. According to the EC, by imposing tariffs, the US administration will tax its own citizens and fuel inflation.
President Trump announced that on Monday he will impose 25% tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum, as well as additional tariffs on a number of countries. Similar tariffs – 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum – were already imposed by Trump in his first term, but Canada, Mexico, and Brazil were partially exempt, while during the presidency of Joe Biden also the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
“At this stage, we have not received any official notification regarding the imposition of additional tariffs on goods from the EU,” said EC trade spokesman Olof Gill to PAP. “We will not comment on general announcements without specific details or written explanations,” he added.
In the EC’s assessment, there is generally no justification for imposing tariffs on EU exports. “We will react to protect the interests of European businesses, workers, and consumers against unjustified measures,” the Commission declared.
As emphasized by the EU executive body responsible for trade policy, imposing tariffs would be illegal and economically unproductive, especially considering the deeply integrated production chains between the EU and the USA.
“Tariffs are essentially taxes. By imposing them, the US would tax its own citizens, increasing costs for businesses and fueling inflation. Moreover, tariffs increase economic uncertainty and disrupt the efficiency and integration of global markets,” the EC concluded.
Trump announced the tariffs during a press conference aboard Air Force One on the way from Florida to New Orleans for the Super Bowl, the final of the NFL American football league. (02/10/2025)