FILE PHOTO: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a statement on plans to strengthen the European defence industry and the EU's military capabilities, in Brussels, Belgium March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described U.S. President Donald Trump's universal tariffs as a major blow to the world economy and said the European Union was prepared to respond with countermeasures if talks with Washington failed.
Von der Leyen said the EU was already finalising a first package of tariffs on up to 26 billion euros ($28.4 billion) of U.S. goods for mid-April in response to U.S. steel and aluminium tariffs that took effect on March 12.
