The European Union is "preparing for further countermeasures, to protect our interests and our businesses if negotiations fail," Ursula von der Leyen said early on Thursday. U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 20% tariffs on the EU on Wednesday.

An official statement from the European Commission said: "In response to the widespread disruption caused by the US tariffs, President von der Leyen stressed the responsibility of Europe and China, as two of the world's largest markets, to support a strong reformed trading system, free, fair and founded on a level playing field.

The European Union will put on hold for 90 days its first countermeasures against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on X. "We took note of the announcement by President Trump.