More reaction now, from Germany’s Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck has reacted to Trump’s proposed tariffs saying that the European Union must “respond united, and not tear itself apart into two or three blocs of countries but speak as a united Europe”.
“We must make clear that ultimately, everyone loses: the United States, the United States’ economic area and Europe,” he adds, according to the Reuters news agency.
Habeck says any counter-measures should only be thought about “once we have thoroughly discussed things”, adding that the “first step is to seek talks”.