EU plans 'reciprocal' tariffs on US steel, aluminium
(VOVWORLD) - The EU will impose "reciprocal" tariffs on US steel and aluminium if President Donald Trump moves ahead with threatened 25% duties on European imports, French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday in Porto during a state visit to Portugal.
 French President Emmanuel Macron (Photo: Ouest France) |
"If the tariffs are confirmed, Europeans will respond and therefore there will be reciprocal tariffs. Because we must protect ourselves, defend ourselves. If in early April, as has been announced, tariffs are imposed on European products at this level, Europeans will have to respond. We must not be weak in the face of these measures," said Macron.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said Europe will have to react to the tariffs, at the same or similar level, adding that it would make no sense not to do the same.
The French President’s statement comes just a few days after his brief visit to the US earlier this week to discuss peace in Ukraine as well as to strengthen relations between Washington and its transatlantic allies.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump unexpectedly announced that he would impose a 25% tariff on EU products starting from April 2. This tariff could affect more than 29 billion USD worth of EU exports, which is the third-largest trading partner of the US.