EU nearly countered US over President Trump's trade tariffs

Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said the EU, the world's largest trade bloc, rejects Mr. Trump's reasoning that the tariffs are backed by international legal law to protect national security.

If tariffs are introduced, she said, the EU and other partners will submit the issue to the World Trade Organisation.

President Trump has long threatened those he considers to be unfair trade practices from China and other countries. Last week he said his government would impose a 25 per cent fee on imported steel and 10 per cent on aluminum imports.

He said the tariffs would remain for “a long period of”. However, it is not clear whether some business partners would be exempted from such fees.