EU vows tough countermeasures to US tariffs

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed on Tuesday that U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum "will not go unanswered," adding that they will trigger tough countermeasures from the 27-nation bloc.

"The EU will act to safeguard its economic interests. We will protect our workers, businesses and consumers," von der Leyen said in a statement in reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum the previous day.

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"Tariffs are taxes - bad for business, worse for consumers," von der Leyen said. "Unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered - they will trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures."

In Germany, home to the EU's largest economy, Chancellor Olaf Scholz told parliament that "if the U.S. leaves us no other choice, then the European Union will react united," adding that "ultimately, trade wars always cost both sides prosperity."

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