France and the European Union have condemned US President Donald Trump's new 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, vowing immediate retaliation and warning of escalating trade tensions.
In a move that sent shockwaves through global markets, US President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Washington will impose 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
The decision has been met with swift and sharp reaction from Europe – particularly from France – which has taken the lead in advocating for a firm response.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot made it clear that the European Union would not stand idly by, warning that Europe would replicate any trade restrictions imposed on it by the United States.
"There is no hesitation when it comes to defending our interests," Barrot said during an interview with TF1 this Monday, adding that the EU had retaliated in 2018 when Trump previously introduced similar tariffs and would do so again.
He emphasised that it would be up to the European Commission to determine which US sectors would be targeted in return.
Strategy
France's strong stance echoes the European Union’s broader sentiment, with the European Commission branding the US tariffs "illegal" and economically damaging.
The EU Commission has also indicated that it may take the issue to the World Trade Organization if necessary.
Barrot’s warning underlines the broader implications of a potential trade war, saying, "No one has an interest in entering into a trade war with the European Union".
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this sentiment in an interview with CNN, suggesting that the EU should not be the US's primary concern.
"Is the European Union your first problem? No, I don’t think so. Your first problem is China, so you should focus on the first problem," Macron said, highlighting the need for a more strategic US approach to trade relations.
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Trump's protectionism
Beyond Europe, Trump's tariff threats have also stirred reactions from other major economies – particularly Canada, Mexico, and China.
Canada and Mexico – both key US trading partners – have expressed concerns that such protectionist policies could harm North American supply chains.
In China, the reaction has been even stronger, with Beijing announcing retaliatory measures that include tariffs on US exports such as liquefied natural gas, coal, crude oil, and agricultural products.
Additionally, China has launched antitrust investigations into major American companies and has restricted exports of rare earth minerals vital to US tech and defence industries.
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History of tariffs
Trump's latest tariffs are the newest chapter in a long history of trade disputes during his presidency.
In his first term, he frequently used tariffs as a tool to pressure other nations into trade concessions.
His most notable trade war was with China, which saw tariffs imposed on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of goods, leading to retaliatory measures that disrupted global supply chains and caused volatility in financial markets.
The 2018 steel and aluminium tariffs also led to counter measures from the EU, which targeted iconic American products such as bourbon whiskey, Levi’s jeans, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The broader concern remains the possibility of a tit-for-tat escalation, that will disrupt international trade and further strain diplomatic relations between major economic powers.
