Trump tariffs LIVE: Trade war erupts as EU leader lashes out at ‘blackmail’

‘s global has officially begun as a 25% levy on steel and aluminium has come into force overnight in the UK and EU. The European Commission has vowed to impose “countermeasures”, with European Commission Ursula von der Leyen saying: “We deeply regret this measure. We are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue.”

Karin Karlsbro, a Swedish MEP member of the Liberals party, lashed out at the tariffs this morning, calling them “blackmail”. She wrote on X: “The US tariffs on the EU have taken effect. This isn’t normal trade policy—it’s blackmail. The EU doesn’t want a trade war, but we won’t be run over. We have a big toolbox, and we’re ready to strike where it hurts. Trump is the president of the US—not the world.” The UK, also impacted by the tariffs, is going to “reserve our right to retaliate” but will seek a “pragmatic” approach in response to global tariffs imposed by the US, a Treasury minister said.

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