EU says it will answer ‘firmly’ if Trump imposes new tariffs

“The global exchange of goods and commodities has proven to be a great success story that has enabled prosperity for all of us,” she told reporters at a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in England.

“This is why it is important that we do not divide the world with many customs barriers, but we make this exchange of goods and services possible in the future.”

When asked about possible European contracted, Scholz said the EU is a strong economic block and has “its own action options.”

The German opposition leader and the main candidate to become the next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, also spoke. “Tariffs have never been a good idea to resolve trade policy conflicts,” he said at his CDU Conservative Party convention in preparation for February 23 elections.

Merz said the cost of tariffs will eventually overload American consumers and therefore cause resistance in the country, adding that the EU should now come together in negotiations with the US.

This Sunday, Trump responded on the impact of tariffs on the end consumer. He argued that Americans may feel economic “pain” but argued that the price “is worth” to ensure US interests.