French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has warned of retaliatory tariffs from the European Union in response to US President Donald Trump's announcement of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. "There is no hesitation when it comes to defending our interests," Barrot told TF1 television. The EU Commission will "identify the sectors that will be subject to these retaliatory measures."
"And I say it again: No one has an interest in entering into a trade conflict with the European Union," the French foreign minister added.
Barrot was reacting to Trump's announcement that he would impose tariffs of 25 percent on steel and aluminum imports into the United States. Details were expected to be announced early this week.
"This is not a surprise. Donald Trump already did this in 2018," Barrot said. "And back then we retaliated. So we will retaliate again this time." (dpa)