The European Union has vowed to take firm and proportionate countermeasures in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.

The European Union’s executive branch has vowed to “take firm and immediate action” against U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum.

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.

President Trump has been busy imposing tariffs this month—the initial Mexico and Canada tariffs that were later delayed, a reciprocal tariff affecting a majority of products and a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel.

Mexico, Canada and the European Union on Tuesday condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports next month, a move that has fanned fears of a trade war as business and political leaders braced for yet more trade duty announcements from the new administration.