European leaders held an emergency virtual meeting on February 11, 2025, to address the economic implications of the US's recent announcement of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports.

The meeting, which began at 3 PM Lisbon time, included representatives from various EU member states and focused on the trade relations between the EU and the US.

António Costa, President of the European Council, voiced strong support for retaliatory measures against the US tariffs, emphasizing the EU's commitment to protecting its companies and citizens.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured that the EU would formulate an 'adequate' response to what they deem 'unjustified' actions from Washington.

The US tariffs have been met with criticism from EU officials, who view them as unfair, particularly since they affect imports from Europe.

Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commissioner for Trade, labeled the US tariffs as 'counterproductive,' arguing they would harm both businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.

Portugal's Secretary of State for Economy, João Rui Ferreira, represented the nation in discussions aimed at unifying the EU's response to the tariffs.

One potential course of action for the EU could involve reinstating retaliatory measures that were initially introduced in 2018 during the first phase of the trade war initiated by Trump, which had been suspended in 2021.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck highlighted the importance of maintaining open communication channels with the US to negotiate a resolution and prevent further trade barriers.