Brussels, 4 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday warned US President Donald Trump against introducing new tariffs on imports from the bloc.

"When targeted unfairly or arbitrarily, the European Union will respond firmly," von der Leyen said after a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.

"There are clearly new challenges and growing uncertainties, so the European Union is prepared for a robust but constructive dialogue with the United States," she said, adding "we are ready."

Von der Leyen said an escalation should be avoided if possible through early engagement in talks.

"Tariffs raise business costs. They harm workers and consumers. They create unnecessary economic disruption and drive inflation," von der Leyen said of new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on imports from Mexico and Canada, which have since been put on hold.

"We do not see much good coming out of this."

Shortly before the EU leaders' meeting, Trump had once again said that he intended to impose tariffs on imports from the EU, pointing to the large trade deficit between the US and the European bloc.

"It will definitely happen with the European Union. I can tell you that. Because they've really taken advantage of us," Trump said without providing any specifics. He said there was no timetable, but that it would happen "pretty soon."

EU diplomats said that the European Commission has had possible countermeasures prepared for some time.

During his election campaign, Trump mentioned plans to introduce new tariffs of 10% to 20% on imports from the EU, saying they would boost domestic industries and address the trade deficit.

There was a fierce trade row between the US and the EU during Trump's first term in office.

In 2018, Trump introduced tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, prompting the EU to respond with tariffs on US products such as bourbon, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and jeans.

Photo: screenshot