The European Union has rejected President Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, stating that the move would be illegal and economically damaging. The EU's executive body, the European Commission, issued a statement on Thursday, asserting that the tariffs would be "illegal and economically counterproductive, especially considering the deeply integrated production chains that the European Union and the United States have established through transatlantic trade and investment."
The Commission further emphasized that the EU sees "no justification for the imposition of tariffs on its exports" and will take action to protect the interests of European businesses, workers, and consumers. The statement acknowledged that tariffs create economic uncertainty and negatively impact the efficiency and integration of global markets.
The EU's response comes after Trump announced his intention to impose the tariffs, citing national security concerns. The US is a major destination for European steel exports, with a quarter of European steel exports going to the US. The steel industry faces intense global competition and declining demand from the automotive sector.
Trump has previously implemented tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and China. The latest tariff threat echoes his first administration's actions, which included tariff hikes on steel and aluminum imports following complaints from American companies and labor unions.