Tariffs Von der Leyen warns Trump: EU will react decisively

SDA

4.2.2025 - 00:57

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a statement to US President Donald Trump.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a statement to US President Donald Trump.
Keystone

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned US President Donald Trump against introducing new tariffs on imports from Europe. "If we are deliberately treated unfairly or arbitrarily, the European Union will react decisively".

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Von der Leyen announced this on Tuesday night after a top-level meeting with the heads of state and government of the member states in Brussels. "We are prepared."

At the same time, she emphasized that an escalation should be prevented as far as possible through prompt talks. Negotiations would also be held if necessary. "Tariffs increase business costs, harm workers and consumers, create unnecessary economic disruption and drive up inflation," emphasized von der Leyen. "We see nothing good in this."

Shortly before the EU summit, Trump had once again made it clear that he wants to impose tariffs on imports from the EU. "That will definitely happen for the European Union," he said. Trump did not provide any specific details on the level of the tariffs or the product groups that might be affected. He said there was no timetable, but it would happen "pretty soon".

EU diplomats said that the European Commission had already prepared possible countermeasures some time ago. During Trump's first term in office, the EU countered new levies on steel and aluminum products from Europe with special tariffs on bourbon whiskey, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and jeans, among other things.