EU to Take Necessary Steps to Safeguard Its Interests as Trump’s Tariff Threat Sparks Outrage

Addis Ababa, July 13, 2025 (ENA) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's surprise announcement of sweeping 30 percent tariffs on European Union (EU) exports on Saturday has provoked a fierce backlash across the bloc, with officials and industry leaders demanding a strong and united response amid continued trade talks.

The proposed tariffs, set to take effect on Aug. 1, target EU imports and were justified by Trump as a correction of a "far from reciprocal" trade relations.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Saturday that the tariffs would "disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic."

While emphasizing the EU's continued commitment to a negotiated solution, she said the bloc "will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required."

European lawmakers and national leaders voiced growing frustration, with many urging immediate retaliatory steps, Xinhua reported.

Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's committee on international trade, said the U.S. letter is "both impertinent and a slap in the face" after weeks of negotiations.

He urged the EU to begin retaliatory measures on Monday as scheduled, stating that "the period of waiting is over."

European Council President Antonio Costa said the tariffs would drive inflation, fuel uncertainty and stall growth. "The EU remains firm, united and ready to protect our interests," he said, urging progress toward a "fair agreement" with Washington.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "strong disapproval" of the U.S. move, and said the EU must speed up preparing "credible countermeasures" using all tools, including anti-coercion, available if talks fail.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the move as a "unilateral escalation," and said the EU is prepared to respond with tough countermeasures if necessary.

"Everyone loses out from an escalated trade conflict, and it will be U.S. consumers who pay the highest price," he warned.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala criticized the U.S. tariffs for negatively impacting transatlantic trade and called for "unity and determination" to protect the EU's interests