German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the importance of avoiding global divisions through the use of excessive tariff barriers during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the U.K. on Sunday. Scholz underscored that the European Union remains a “strong economic area” capable of setting its own course of action.
In contrast, Germany’s Finance Minister Jörg Kukies urged a composed response, cautioning against overreacting to initial developments. “One should not react to the first decisions with panic, but see them as the beginning of the negotiations and not as the end,” Kukies said during a visit to the Persian Gulf, according to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani struck a measured tone, stating on the social media platform X: “The tariff war is not good for anyone. … We have ideas and strategies to protect our companies, with Italy being the best ambassador for the EU in the dialogue with Washington.”
Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, denounced the newly announced U.S. tariffs as a violation of international law. He argued that the EU must prepare to defend its economic interests reciprocally and called on Brussels to expedite the stabilization and expansion of trade relations with other global partners.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk attempted to reassure citizens in a video message shared Saturday. While acknowledging challenges such as irregular immigration, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, and the tariff threats, Tusk said there is “cause for concern but not for fear.”
Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, in a scathing critique, described the tariffs as a “blatant attack on [America’s] own people and a gift to billionaires, all while tearing apart its closest allies.” Verhofstadt sternly added that “the EU must not bow to [Trump’s] bullying tactics.”
Chris Lunday contributed to this report.
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