EU preparing 'expanded' countermeasures after Trump boosts steel tariff

The European Union said it is preparing “countermeasures” against the U.S. following President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement that he would increase his tariffs on steel.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump last week agreed to “rapidly” begin on a trade deal. European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill told a press conference in Brussels, however, said if those negotiations fail, “then we are also prepared to accelerate our work on the defensive side.”