EU set to push back if US imposes tariffs

FRANKFURT: The leaders of Germany, France and the UK are ready to push back if the Trump Administration does not permanently exempt the European Union from new import taxes on aluminium and steel imports, German Chancellor Angela Merkel says.

Merkel said in a statement yesterday she had spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Theresa May since returning from her talks in Washington with US President Donald Trump.

The three European leaders ‘‘agreed that the US ought not to take any trade measures against the European Union’’, which is ‘‘resolved to defend its interests within the multilateral trade framework’’.

The chancellor’s statement did not outline specific steps the 28nation EU might take.

The EU’s temporary exemption from the tariffs expires this week. The tariffs are aimed primarily at overcapacity among statebacked firms in China that have flooded global markets with cheap steel.

European leaders have argued their countries should not be held responsible for China’s practices.

A Downing Street statement said May, Merkel and Macron ‘‘pledged to continue to work closely with the rest of the EU and the US Administration with the aim of a permanent exemption from US tariffs’’.

In March, Trump imposed duties of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminium. The step drew retaliation from China and has led to fears of a wider trade war that could hold back the growth of the global economy. — AP