The EU has already been preparing for American tariffs for several months, following the announcements made during Donald Trump's campaign to become president again.
Now that Trump has announced his decisions on steel tariffs, the EU is ready to respond.
We are currently reviewing what was announced tonight and will respond with decisive and proportionate countermeasures, says Trade Commissioner Sefcovic in a speech to the EU Parliament in Strasbourg.
"Loss for both"
The EU describes the US measures as a loss for both sides.
We deeply regret these decisions and announcements (from Trump). The EU sees no reason to introduce tariffs. By introducing tariffs, the US will tax its own citizens, increase costs for its own companies, and increase inflation, says Sefcovic.
At the same time, he promises to be open to negotiations and constructive dialogue.
Much is at stake on both sides. We want it to work – if not for anything else, then just because it's reasonable, says the Commissioner in Strasbourg.
No details
The words from Sefcovic have also been repeated in a formal statement from his highest boss, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"Tariffs are taxes: bad for businesses, even worse for consumers", she writes in a press release.
Exact details on how the EU plans to respond have not yet been presented and will not be, according to the EU Commission, until "the time is right". Among other things, the concrete decisions from the US are still awaited.
We're saying nothing today, says Olof Gill, the Commission's spokesperson on trade issues at a press conference in Brussels.
Meet in Paris
A first direct meeting between the EU leadership and the new US administration is already planned for this afternoon, when von der Leyen will meet with Vice President JD Vance in connection with an ongoing summit on AI in Paris.
The EU member states are expected to discuss the situation in a digital meeting on Wednesday. According to Olof Gill, the Commission is in "constant contact" with the countries – although he also emphasizes that it is the EU, not the countries' governments, that is handling the issue.
Member states cannot negotiate on their own, says Gill.
