Germany slams Trump tariffs on steel, aluminum imports

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Germany lashed out Friday at U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to slap protectionist tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said such punitive tariffs would mostly affect European industries, warning that it might also spark an international trade conflict.

On Thursday, Trump announced that the U.S. would impose a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports as of next week.

Trump said the "disgraceful" treatment of U.S. steel and aluminum producers by other nations, especially China, helped lead to the decision.

"The EU has to respond in a determined manner to punitive tariffs by the U.S. which would jeopardize thousands of jobs in Europe. There should be no doubt about that for those in Washington," he said in a written statement.

Gabriel said that a confrontation between the EU and the U.S. over trade affairs would be in the interests of neither the Europeans nor the Americans.

"When two people quarrel, a third rejoices. Therefore I hope that the President would reconsider his announced plans. We must do everything to prevent an international trade conflict," Gabriel said.