The EU says tariffs imposed by the US on Europe would be illegal and damaging to both sides.
Donald Trump says he will later today announce a 25 percent tariff or import tax on all steel and aluminium. He also promised more tariffs on other products would follow.
The European Union has been trying to convince the US not to go ahead with tariffs. Last week, Trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, said he still hoped to “avoid the measures which would bring a lot of disturbance to the most trade and investment relationship on this planet”.
If Trump goes ahead, the EU says it is ready to respond.
According to the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, that response will come within an hour.
“The EU sees no justification for the imposition of tariffs on its exports”, the European Commission’s trade spokesperson, Olaf Gill said.
“We will react to protect the interests of European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified measures. The imposition of tariffs would be unlawful and economically counterproductive, especially given the deeply integrated production chains the EU and US, established through Transatlantic trade and Investment.”
The European Union says that up to now it has “not received any official notification regarding the imposition of additional tariffs on EU goods”.
All eyes are on Washington to see if an official announcement comes later today.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Brussels meeting the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola and the President of the European Council, António Costa.
Speaking in Brussels this afternoon, Micheál Martin said “we believe tariffs are not conducive to economic growth”. The European Commission will be engaging with the US on this, he added.
Later the Taoiseach will travel to Paris to join a major summit on Artificial Intelligence.