EU fires back at Washington for 25% import tariff threat

The European Union strongly rejected US President Donald Trump's claims that the 27-nation bloc was working against the United States and vowed to fiercely oppose any sweeping 25% tariff on all EU products.

European Commission trade spokesman Olof Gill reiterated the EU’s stance against potential tariffs, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

“The EU will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade,” Gill stated. “We will also protect our consumers and businesses at every turn. They expect no less from us.”

The escalating dispute erupted on February 26 between the two allies when Trump told reporters following his first cabinet meeting that “the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. That’s the purpose of it, and they’ve done a good job of it.”

It further strained transatlantic relations, which were already tense due to his warnings that Washington might withdraw security guarantees for European allies.

The EU's forceful response included that of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, quickly countered Trump’s remarks.

“The EU wasn’t formed to screw anyone,” Tusk, who has previously served as the President of the European Council, said in a post on X. “Quite the opposite. It was formed to maintain peace, to build respect among our nations, to create free and fair trade, and to strengthen our transatlantic friendship. As simple as that.”

By Nazrin Sadigova