The EU plans to introduce "reciprocal tariffs" on steel and aluminum and will "respond" on other goods as well, said French President Emmanuel Macron, reacting to the upcoming imposition of 25 percent tariffs on imports of European products into the US, reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA.
If the US tariffs on steel and aluminum "are confirmed, the Europeans will respond and therefore there will be reciprocal tariffs. Because we must defend ourselves, protect ourselves," Macron said in Porto, at a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Luiz Montenegro.
"We must not show weakness in the face of these measures," he added at the end of his state visit to Portugal.
The EU is affected by the tariffs on steel and aluminum that US President Donald Trump intends to impose, regardless of where the metals come from. But on Wednesday, the US president also announced his intention to impose a 25% tariff on all EU goods.
"If at the beginning of April, as announced, tariffs of this level are imposed on European products, Europeans will have to react", warned Macron.
"Of course, Europe will have to react to the imposition of tariffs, of the same or a similar amount", agreed the Portuguese prime minister, adding that "there is no point in not doing the same, not responding reciprocally".