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EU will respond to Trump's latest tariff announcement, French foreign minister says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on February 10, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 26, 2026

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot discusses EU's response to Trump's tariffs - Global Banking & Finance Review
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot addresses the media about the European Union's impending response to President Trump's latest tariff threats on steel and aluminum imports, emphasizing the EU's commitment to defending its interests.
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PARIS (Reuters) - The European Union will respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariffs announcement, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday. Barrot told TF1 television that

EU to Respond to Trump's Latest Tariff Announcement

PARIS (Reuters) - The European Union will respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariffs announcement, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday.

Barrot told TF1 television that France and its European partners should not hesitate to defend their interests in the face of the U.S. tariff threats.

Trump said on Sunday that he will introduce new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., on top of existing metals duties, in another major escalation of his trade policy overhaul.

Asked if France and the European Union will respond, Barrot said: "Of course... This is already what Donald Trump did in 2018, and we responded. We will again respond."

The European Commission will decide on the sectors that will be affected by a response, he added.

"It (the Commission) is ready to push the trigger when the time has come. Now this time has come. It is in no-one's interest to start a commercial war with the European Union," he said.

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)

Key Takeaways

  • The EU will respond to Trump's new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.
  • French Foreign Minister emphasizes defending EU interests.
  • The European Commission will decide on the response sectors.
  • France recalls a similar response to 2018 tariffs.
  • A commercial war with the EU is not in anyone's interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The main topic is the EU's planned response to Trump's new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
How did France respond to similar tariffs in 2018?
France, along with the EU, responded to similar tariffs in 2018 and plans to do so again.
Who will decide the sectors affected by the EU's response?
The European Commission will decide which sectors will be affected by the EU's response.

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