EU prepared for strong countermeasures against US trade tariffs, von der Leyen warns

The European Union is poised to reinforce the unity of its internal market in response to newly imposed U.S. trade tariffs, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Speaking at a session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen outlined the EU's strategy to counter the economic pressure from Washington, emphasizing the bloc’s intent to remove remaining trade barriers between member states, Caliber.Az reports, citing Western news sources.

"Our response to U.S. tariffs should be the strengthening of the European market's unity," von der Leyen declared.

She highlighted the European Commission’s plan to increase economic integration, which would, in effect, enhance the Commission's influence while diminishing the powers of national governments within the EU.

Von der Leyen made it clear that the EU had already prepared a set of robust countermeasures to be implemented if negotiations with the U.S. fail to produce a resolution. "The European Union did not initiate this confrontation; we consider it a mistake. But the EU has all the necessary means to protect its single market," she said.

Despite the EU’s willingness to find a diplomatic solution, von der Leyen stressed that any future negotiations with the U.S. would be conducted from a position of strength, leveraging the bloc's economic size, European technologies, and services sector.

The dispute stems from the U.S. administration’s decision to impose a 25% tariff hike on key EU exports, including steel, aluminum, cars, and auto parts. Von der Leyen indicated that the U.S. is expected to extend tariffs to other items, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and timber. The EU is preparing for an official announcement on the additional tariffs in the coming days.

By Khagan Isayev