(ANSA-AFP) - BRUSSELS, MAR 12 - The European Commission said Wednesday it would impose "countermeasures" from April 1 in response to US tariffs of 25 percent on steel and aluminium imports.
"We deeply regret this measure," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement about the US tariffs, as Brussels announced it would be "launching a series of countermeasures" in response to the "unjustified trade restrictions".
"Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business,
and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting
supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy," she
said. Von der Leyen estimated the US tariffs were worth $28
billion and the European Union's response would affect the same
amount of US products. US President Donald Trump's 25 percent
duties on steel and aluminium imports took effect at 00:01
(04:01 GMT) local time Wednesday and mark a new stage in the
trade war between the United States and its main trading
partners. Washington has framed the move as a bid to protect US
steel and American workers as the sector declines and faces
fierce overseas competition, especially from Asia. The latest
duties will impact Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan and China as
well as Brazil and Mexico despite last-ditch attempts by some to
get exemptions. It's not the first time Trump has slapped
tariffs on the metals. (ANSA-AFP).
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