EU announces “countermeasures” to respond to US steel tariffs

The European Commission said Wednesday it would impose "countermeasures" from April 1 in response to US tariffs of 25 percent on steel and aluminium imports.

"We deeply regret this measure," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement about the US tariffs, as Brussels announced it would be "launching a series of countermeasures" in response to the "unjustified trade restrictions".

The UK government said the tariffs on steel and aluminium were "disappointing," but stopped short of retaliating, saying it was seeking to negotiate a wider economic agreement with Washington.

"I will continue to engage closely and productively with the US to press the case for UK business interests. We will keep all options on the table and won't hesitate to respond in the national interest," Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said in a statement.