Von der Leyen: EU will respond firmly to US tariffs

The European Union will take a firm stand in response to the United States’ decision to impose 200% tariffs on European goods, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated.

“We will respond clearly and decisively. We will protect our interests, but our goal is to negotiate with the United States,” she said, Caliber.Az reports.

Von der Leyen stressed that the EU has the necessary tools to take reciprocal measures against Washington’s actions, though she did not provide further details.

Despite the tough rhetoric, von der Leyen expressed hope that Brussels and Washington could reach a compromise through negotiations. “We need a balanced solution, achieved through dialogue,” she emphasised. “That would be the best outcome for everyone.”

On February 10, US President Donald Trump ordered tariffs of 25% on all imports of steel and aluminium. The measure came into effect on March 12.

Meanwhile, Trump has warned he will introduce “significantly higher” tariffs if Europe collaborates with Canada in what he claims is an attempt to inflict “economic harm” on the United States.

The new car tariffs will take effect on April 2, with charges on businesses importing vehicles beginning the following day. Taxes on car parts are scheduled to be introduced in May or later.

Trump has consistently argued that the tariffs are intended to support US manufacturing, insisting that cars produced within the country will face “absolutely no tariff.”

Tariffs are taxes levied on imported goods. While they can provide protection for domestic industries, they also increase costs for companies that depend on foreign parts.

Businesses that import these goods pay the tax to the government, and they may opt to pass on some or all of these costs to consumers.

Last year, the US imported approximately eight million vehicles, representing around $240 billion in trade—roughly half of total car sales.

Mexico is the largest supplier of cars to the US, followed by South Korea, Japan, Canada, and Germany.

By Aghakazim Guliyev