French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has warned that the European Union will retaliate by imposing similar tariffs if the United States proceeds with the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, announced by President Donald Trump.
Speaking in an interview with TF1, Barrot emphasized that the EU would not hesitate to defend its interests.
“We’ve seen this before,” he stated, recalling Trump’s previous tariff impositions in 2018. “If the U.S. imposes tariffs, we will respond in kind.”
When asked about the specifics of the potential retaliation, Barrot said it would be up to the European Commission to determine which sectors would be targeted. He cautioned against a trade war, noting that no one would benefit from escalating tensions with the EU.
The proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum are part of a broader series of trade measures by the Trump administration that have sparked concerns over a global trade conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in, suggesting that the EU should not be a “top priority” for the U.S. amid Trump’s repeated threats to target the bloc.
