On April 2nd, Trump unveiled particularly tough tariffs for his main trading partners China and the European Union on what he called "Liberation Day".
The EU is ready to react to new sweeping US tariffs, warned European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, but urged US President Donald Trump to address concerns through dialogue, AFP reports.
"I deeply regret this choice. There seems to be no order in the disorder. There is no clear path through the complexity and chaos that is being created as all US trading partners are affected," von der Leyen said.
She added that the EU was "ready to react".
"We are currently preparing for additional countermeasures to protect our interests and our businesses if the negotiations fail," Von der Leyen said.
On 2 April, Trump unveiled particularly tough tariffs on his main trading partners China and the European Union on what he called "Liberation Day".
The figure for the EU is 20% and comes after Trump previously imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports as well as cars and auto parts.
But the bloc has pushed hard to resolve Trump's trade concerns through dialogue.
"There is an alternative path. It is not too late to address the concerns through negotiations," she said.
Von der Leyen made her comments in English, French and German in a video address from Uzbekistan, where she will attend this week's EU-Central Asia summit.
She said the new tariffs would hurt consumers around the world.
"It will be felt immediately. Millions of citizens will face higher grocery bills. Medicines will cost more, as will transportation. Inflation will rise," she warned.
There are also fears in Europe that Trump's higher tariffs will lead to an influx of cheap goods from other countries, especially China.
Von der Leyen said the EU would "keep a close eye on what indirect effects these tariffs may have" and pledged to protect the continent's industry.
"Europe will stand by those directly affected," she promised.
Bernd Lange, who heads the EU parliament's trade committee, condemned Trump's "unjustified, illegal and disproportionate measures".
"I hope this administration is really interested in engaging with the EU, but I'm not convinced," Lange added. | BGNES
Von der Leyen: EU ready to react to new US tariffs, but open to negotiations
BGNES
On April 2nd, Trump unveiled particularly tough tariffs for his main trading partners China and the European Union on what he called "Liberation Day".
