EU Warns Trump of Retaliation Over Tariff Threats
The European Union has issued a stark warning to U.S. President Donald Trump, vowing to retaliate if he moves forward with tariffs on EU goods.
EU Condemns Trump’s Trade War
The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, expressed “regret” over Trump’s decision on Saturday to impose broad tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China—and now, the U.S. president is threatening similar action against Europe.
“Our trade and investment relationship with the U.S. is the largest in the world. There is a lot at stake,” said a Commission spokesperson on Sunday.
“Tariffs create unnecessary economic disruption and drive inflation. They are hurtful to all sides.”
However, the spokesperson made clear that Brussels would respond forcefully to any unfair or arbitrary trade measures.
France Calls for a "Biting" Response
French Industry Minister Marc Ferracci took a more aggressive stance, demanding a harsh counterattack from Brussels, which oversees trade policy for the EU’s 27 member states.
“Trade negotiations with Donald Trump must be based on strength,” Ferracci told France Info on Sunday.
“If he targets the EU, we must react. Our response must focus on products that matter to the U.S. economy—it must be ‘biting’ to be a credible threat.”
Ferracci also urged the EU to avoid naivety and develop a "Buy European Act" to protect European industries.
Germany Cautious but Ready to Act
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for open trade, warning against a world divided by tariffs. However, he also hinted that the EU is prepared for any move by Trump.
“The EU is a strong economic power with its own tools,” Scholz said on Sunday after meeting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London.
Meanwhile, German Finance Minister Jörg Kukies urged restraint, saying Europe should not panic over Trump’s first trade actions.
“This is just the beginning of negotiations, not the end,” Kukies told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung while traveling in the Persian Gulf.
Italy and EU Lawmakers Weigh In
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani struck a cautious tone, writing on X (formerly Twitter):
“A tariff war benefits no one. We have strategies to protect our businesses, and Italy will be the EU’s best ambassador in talks with Washington.”
Meanwhile, Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s international trade committee, denounced Trump’s tariffs as illegal and called for the EU to defend its economy “1:1”.
“We must stabilize and expand our global trade partnerships quickly,” Lange urged.
Brussels Prepares for a Trade Showdown
With Trump escalating his global trade war, EU leaders are weighing retaliatory tariffs and broader economic strategies. Whether diplomacy or confrontation prevails, Europe is making it clear: it won’t back down without a fight.
