EU ready to respond to U.S. on trade tariffs, says Germany's Scholz

German outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian Special Envoy for the European Union and Europe Stephane Dion pose for a group photo, at the Hannover Messe, one of the world's largest industrial trade fairs with this year's partner country being Canada, which, like the European Union, is similarly affected by the new U.S. tariffs, in Hanover, Germany, March 30, 2025. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

Source: REUTERS

Europe wants to cooperate with the United States but the EU is ready to respond as one if Washington leaves it no choice by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday.

Speaking at the opening of the Hanover industrial trade fair which this year has Canada as its partner country, Scholz also insisted that Canada is an independent country.

U.S. President Donald Trump has mused about annexing Canada and referred to the country as the 51st U.S. state.

"We stand by your side!" Scholz said, adding: "Canada is not a state that belongs to anyone else. Canada is a proud, independent nation."

Addressing Trump's plans to introduce tariffs, Scholz said his answer to "my country first" policies was more free trade, greater competitiveness and more technological sovereignty.

Scholz argued that Europe was not naive but also not weak, and said trade wars hurt all sides.

"So I say to the United States: Europe's goal remains cooperation. But if the U.S. leaves us no choice, such as with the tariffs on steel and aluminium, we as the EU will react as one".

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters