The EU says that it will react firmly against the reciprocal tariffs of the United States.

The European Commission said Friday that he saw no justification for the “reciprocal” commercial policy proposed by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, and would react “firmly and immediately” against the increases of the rate resulting from it.

The Commission, which coordinates the commercial policy for the European Union of 27 nations, described the proposed policy as a step in the wrong address.

“The EU maintains some of the lowest rates in the world and does not see justification to increase the United States rates on its exports,” said the commission in a statement.

The average applied tariff of the European Union on imported goods was one of the lowest worldwide, said the EU executive, with more than 70% of imports that enter without tariffs.

An information sheet of the White House on Thursday highlighted the difference between EU tariff EU in imports of American seafood.

“The EU will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, even when tariffs are used to challenge legal and non -discriminatory policies,” he said in a statement.

The comments echo the vote of the president of the European Commission Ursula von to read on Tuesday of “firm and proportional countermeasures” in response to Trump's decision to impose tariffs on all imports of steel and aluminum.

The EU ministers responsible for trade took a softer line on Wednesday by prioritizing negotiations on retaliation measures, aware that the United States steel and aluminum rates will only be applied as of March 12.

“There is a window for negotiation,” said Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris in a statement.
Similarly, Trump's directive on Thursday did not impose more rates, but began what could be weeks or months of research on the levies imposed on the assets of the US. UU. By other commercial partners before devising an answer.

Three EU diplomats said it made sense to use the time to negotiate, while preparing a firm response if US tariffs were imposed.