The European Commission on Monday vowed to respond to US President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to the US “in a way that protects the EU’s interests”, the Commission said in a statement.

The Commission added: “The EU sees no reason to impose tariffs on its exports. We will respond to protect the interests of European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified measures.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barro insisted on Monday that the EU would respond to the US president’s latest tariff announcement, adding in comments to TF1 that France and its European partners must not hesitate to defend their interests in the face of the threat of US tariffs.

Trump had earlier announced that the US would impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium imports.