European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Thursday that the European Union is preparing to take additional action in response to the latest tariffs imposed by the United States.

Speaking from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where she is attending the EU–Central Asia Summit, von der Leyen emphasized that Brussels “will not hesitate to defend its economic interests” if Washington continues to escalate the situation.

The U.S. recently imposed new tariffs on a range of European products, raising concerns about a potential trade dispute at a time when global economic growth is slowing.

While reaffirming the EU’s preference for dialogue and cooperation, von der Leyen noted that the bloc remains fully prepared to take necessary steps to protect its market and producers.