The European Commission has condemned President Donald Trump’s new retaliatory tariff policy as a “step in the wrong direction”, warning it would harm US citizens and fuel inflation.
The Commission pledged to “react decisively and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade“, particularly when tariffs are used to challenge legitimate non-discriminatory policies.
“Tariffs are taxes”, the Commission stated, arguing that the US policy would increase costs for American businesses, suppress growth, and fuel inflation while disrupting global market efficiency.
The EU emphasised its own trade credentials, noting that over 70% of imports enter Europe duty-free, with average tariff rates among the world’s lowest. The bloc has negotiated more than three times as many trade agreements as the United States, according to the Commission.
The Commission accused the US of undermining the global trading system, highlighting the EU’s commitment to “an open and predictable global trade system benefiting all partners”.
“We believe in mutually beneficial and balanced trade partnerships based on transparency and fairness”, the Commission added, defending its position as the world’s largest and fastest-growing network of trade agreements.
(information from CNA)
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