EU Commission head discusses U.S. tariff response with auto, steel and pharma executives

FILE PHOTO: European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen looks on during a press conference with European Council President Antonio Costa (not pictured), on the day of a European Union summit in Brussels, Belgium March 20, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

BRUSSELS/LONDON (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a call with metals industry representatives on Monday and was speaking to the automobile sector later to discuss how to respond to U.S. tariffs, sources and a letter showed.

The calls aimed to collect more data to strategise further trade counter-measures beyond Brussels' upcoming response to Washington's previously announced steel duties, which will be voted on later this week. A third call with the European pharmaceuticals industry is planned for Tuesday.