German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on the 30th (local time), "If the United States does not give us any choice, such as tariffs on steel and aluminum, the European Union (EU) will respond as one."
According to Reuters and other sources, Chancellor Scholz made this statement during his opening speech at the Hanover Industrial Fair, saying, "Europe's goal is still cooperation."
He described the answer to President Donald Trump's tariff plans and America First policy as more free trade, greater competitiveness, and more technological sovereignty. He also said that Europe is neither naive nor weak, and that trade wars harm everyone.
President Trump is expected to announce reciprocal tariffs on April 2, following tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles. Since steel and automobiles are major EU export items to the U.S., and Trump has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the EU's high value-added tax, there are concerns that the EU could be the main target in the reciprocal tariffs.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Scholz addressed Canada, the partner country of this year's fair, saying, "Canada is a country that belongs to no one else. Canada is a proud and independent nation," and "We stand with you." This appears to be a remark aimed at President Trump, who mentioned the possibility of annexation by calling Canada the 51st state of the U.S.
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