European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Tuesday that the European Union has all the instruments on the table to respond to US tariffs if necessary, as the world awaits the announcement of new trade measures by US President Donald Trump's administration.
"Europe did not start this confrontation. We think it is wrong. We have everything we need to protect our people and prosperity. We have the largest single market in the world. We have the power to negotiate. We have the power to respond to American tariffs," von der Leyen said in Strasbourg.
The head of the Commission stressed that "all instruments are on the table for countermeasures" and warned that tariffs "will only fuel inflation, exactly the opposite of what we want to achieve."
"We don't necessarily want to take countermeasures, but if that is necessary, we have a strong plan and we will implement it," von der Leyen said during a debate with MEPs on the conclusions of the recent EU summit.
A few days ago, Trump threatened higher tariffs on the European Union and Canada if they work together to "cause economic damage to the US".
The EU first announced initial countermeasures and then delayed them until mid-April, including, for example, a 50 percent tariff on American bourbon. In response, Trump threatened to impose a 200 percent tariff on all EU wines and other alcoholic products if Brussels did so.
Photo: EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
