The European Fee mentioned on Saturday that it “strongly” regrets an introduced improve of U.S. tariffs on metal imports and that the European Union is ready to impose countermeasures.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he deliberate to extend tariffs on imported metal and aluminum to 50% from 25%, placing extra stress on international metal producers and deepening his commerce conflict.
“We strongly remorse the introduced improve of U.S. tariffs on metal imports from 25% to 50%,” a European Fee spokesperson mentioned in an emailed assertion.
“This resolution provides additional uncertainty to the worldwide economic system and will increase prices for shoppers and companies on each side of the Atlantic,” the spokesperson mentioned, including that “the tariff improve additionally undermines ongoing efforts to achieve a negotiated answer”.
The spokesperson famous that the European Union had paused its countermeasures to create house for continued negotiations.
“The EU is ready to impose countermeasures, together with in response to the newest U.S. tariff improve,” the spokesperson mentioned.
“The European Fee is presently finalising consultations on expanded countermeasures. If no mutually acceptable answer is reached, each current and extra EU measures will routinely take impact on 14 July — or earlier, if circumstances require,” they added.
