EU says it prefers negotiations, but proposes first tariffs on US imports

The European Commission said on Monday it had offered a “zero-for-zero” tariff deal to avert a trade war with US President Donald Trump as EU ministers agreed to prioritise negotiations, while striking back with 25 per cent tariffs on some US imports.

The 27-nation bloc faces 25 per cent import tariffs on steel and aluminium and cars and broader tariffs of 20 per cent from Wednesday for almost all other goods under Trump’s policy to hit countries he says impose high barriers to US imports.