U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the extensive tariffs he has implemented on Mexico, Canada, and China might lead to “short term” difficulties for Americans. Meanwhile, European Union leaders convened on Monday in light of potential punitive U.S. trade measures that could also impact the bloc.

Responses from Europe regarding the tariffs include:

BRITAIN

A government spokesperson stated on Monday that Britain maintains a “fair and balanced” trading relationship with the United States, which has been mutually beneficial. This comment followed President Trump’s suggestion that tariffs could be “worked out” between the two nations.

“The U.S. is an essential ally and one of our closest trading partners,” the spokesperson noted. Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned over the weekend that his initial discussions with Trump centered on enhancing robust trade relations.

GERMANY

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz remarked that the European Union is sufficiently resilient to respond to any U.S. tariffs, emphasizing that the aim should be to foster cooperation. Ahead of an informal EU leaders meeting in Brussels, conservative opposition leader and chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz pointed out that Trump would come to understand that the tariffs imposed “will not be borne by those importing into America. Instead, they will be shouldered by American consumers.”

FINLAND

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo of Finland emphasized the necessity for Europe to engage in trade discussions with Trump. He stated, “The critical point we must all recognize is that Russia poses a genuine threat; this is not merely an opinion but an established fact.”

POLAND

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk asserted that initiating trade wars would be a grave error. He remarked, “We must do everything within our power to ensure that, in the face of threats from Russia or expansion from China, we do not engage in conflicts among allies.”

EUROPEAN UNION

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, warned that a trade war between the U.S. and Europe would benefit China. “Our economies are deeply interconnected. We rely on America, just as America relies on us,” she noted.

FRANCE

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Europe must assert itself if its commercial interests are under attack, ahead of an informal EU defense meeting in Brussels. He remarked that Trump’s recent comments are prompting “the EU to become more united and proactive in addressing collective security challenges.”

SPAIN

Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo emphasized the necessity for the European Union to maintain its unity in the face of President Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on EU products. He stated that the bloc must safeguard its businesses and ensure they can compete fairly with international competitors, as he expressed in an interview with Spanish radio station RNE.

EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK POLICYMAKER SIMKUS

Gediminas Simkus, a policymaker at the European Central Bank and governor of the Lithuanian central bank, cautioned that the proposed tariffs could negatively affect both the economy and inflation, although he refrained from predicting their specific consequences.

FRENCH CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR

Francois Villeroy de Galhau, the French central bank governor and ECB policymaker, remarked that the trade tariffs introduced by Trump would heighten economic uncertainty. He noted that the automotive sector would likely be particularly affected. Villeroy advised against hasty retaliatory actions, stressing the importance of strengthening the economy.

BELGIUM

Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden stated at an informal EU defense retreat in Brussels that the appropriate response to trade tariffs is to implement reciprocal measures. He expressed his belief that tariffs are detrimental, asserting that they harm trade and negatively impact the United States as well.