The US is playing a “dangerous game” by slapping tariffs on European steel and aluminium, the European Union’s trade commissioner has said.
Cecilia Malmstrom warned the move by US President Donald Trump would have consequences for the economic recovery of the EU, as well as US consumers.
The EU has issued a 10-page list of tariffs on US goods ranging from Harley-Davidson motorcycles to bourbon.
Canada and Mexico are also planning retaliatory moves against the tariffs.
According to BBC News, Ms. Malmstrom said the EU would challenge the move at the World Trade Organization (WTO) but that tariffs on US imports were necessary as “we cannot just take these tariffs and stay silent”.
The commissioner said that despite the EU’s “rebalancing” action, the two sides were not in a trade war.
“What we are in is a very difficult situation,” she said, adding that this situation could only be diffused by the US withdrawing its measures against the EU.
