President Donald Trump signed an order Monday imposing global tariffs of 25% on all steel and aluminum imports, likely pleasing domestic steelmakers but hurting allies like Canada and Mexico.

The European Union hopes to avert a damaging trade war with the U.S. over impending metals tariffs by prioritising negotiations rather than retaliatory countermeasures, EU officials signalled on Wednesday.

The European Union plans to safeguard its economic interests by imposing countermeasures in response to the U.S. tariffs, according to EU officials.