European leaders strongly criticised the latest round of sweeping US tariffs on Thursday, with the European Union signalling its readiness to implement countermeasures while also leaving room for last-minute negotiations.
The tariffs, announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, include a 20% duty on EU imports as part of broader trade measures that have fuelled concerns about a potential global trade war.
Trump had already imposed tariffs on European steel, aluminum, automobiles, and auto parts in previous measures. ALSO READ: EU hits back against US tariffs with ‘countermeaures’.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the new levies, describing them as a ‘major blow to the world economy’. She confirmed that Brussels was preparing retaliatory measures in response.
‘I deeply regret this choice,’ von der Leyen said during a visit to Uzbekistan. ‘There seems to be no order in the disorder. No clear path through the complexity and chaos that is being created as all US trading partners are hit.’
However, she also stressed that negotiations remained an option, suggesting that there was still time to resolve concerns diplomatically.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who met with some of Spain’s leading employers and the heads of trade unions on Wednesday to discuss the tariffs proposed by the US administration, as well as the possible domestic and European response, said: ‘Spain will protect its businesses and workers and continue to champion an open world.’
Germany expressed support for a diplomatic approach, but Economy Minister Robert Habeck warned that if talks failed, the EU was prepared to respond in a ‘balanced, clear and determined’ manner.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron is set to meet with representatives from industries affected by the tariffs. Meanwhile, government spokeswoman Sophie Primas signalled the EU’s readiness for confrontation, stating that the bloc was ‘ready for a trade war’ and prepared to ‘attack online services’.
The United Kingdom, which is no longer an EU member but remains a key US ally, expressed hopes for an economic deal that would help soften the impact of the 10% tariff Trump imposed on British exports.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed business leaders, acknowledging that ‘clearly there would be an economic impact’ but affirming that his government would ‘fight for the best deal’.
In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also voiced opposition to the tariffs, calling them ‘wrong’ and stressing that the EU would work to secure an agreement with the US to prevent an economically damaging trade conflict.
Her foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, revealed plans to meet with EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic in Brussels on Thursday to discuss a response that would be ‘based on a pragmatic approach, based on dialogue’.
Switzerland, which was hit with a 31% tariff, is also considering its next steps. President Karin Keller-Sutter reaffirmed the country’s commitment to free trade and respect for international law, calling these principles ‘fundamental’.
In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk underscored the importance of true partnership with the US, stating that ‘really and truly reciprocal tariffs’ would be necessary in response.
Beyond direct economic retaliation, European officials have also raised concerns that higher US tariffs could flood the market with cheap goods from non-Western countries, particularly China.
Bernd Lange, head of the EU Parliament’s trade committee, denounced Trump’s actions, calling them ‘unjustified, illegal and disproportionate’.
European industry representatives also criticised the tariffs, warning of negative consequences for businesses and consumers alike.
The German Automotive Industry Association argued that the measures would ‘only create losers’ and urged the EU to respond ‘with necessary force, while continuing to signal its willingness to negotiate’.
Similarly, the Association of the German Chemical Industry called on the EU to remain measured, cautioning that ‘a spiral of escalation would only increase the damage’.
Trump’s new tariffs follow a series of trade measures introduced since he returned to office in January, including a 25% levy on auto imports, which took effect on Thursday.
EU producers are also dealing with an earlier 25% US tariff on steel and aluminum, which Brussels has vowed to counteract with its own measures set to roll out in mid-April.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned against retaliation, telling Fox News: ‘Sit back, take it in. Because if you retaliate, there will be escalation.’
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