EU still wants US trade deal, will defend interests

Trade turmoil: An illustration of the word tariffs on the EU logo. The grouping has so far held back from retaliating with its own levies against the United States. — Reuters

Brussels: The European Union (EU) says it is ready to retaliate to defend its interests if the United States presses ahead with imposing a 30% tariff on European goods from Aug 1.

US President Donald Trump’s latest salvo surprised the bloc, the United States’ largest trading partner, which had hoped to avoid an escalating trade war after intense negotiations and increasingly warm words from the White House.