Citizens of European Union (EU)countries called on the EU to take a tougher stance and firm action against the tariff threat from the United States after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday emphasized the bloc's commitment to a negotiated solution.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that his administration would impose 30 percent tariffs on EU exports starting on August 1, arguing that bilateral trade had long been unbalanced and lacked reciprocity.
Von der Leyen said that the European Union will delay the implementation of its trade countermeasures against the United States until early August to allow more time to negotiate a deal.
She said that the EU remained committed to a negotiated solution, but emphasized that the bloc has also been ready to respond with countermeasures if necessary.
In response to the EU's two-track approach to U.S. tariffs, EU citizens called for a hardline stance from the EU.
"I think the EU needs to take a tougher stance. Trump, you compromise with him, he says 'great', he'll make things better for a little bit and then he will come right back around later as soon as you say the wrong thing, do one thing he doesn't like, he'll do it again. So I think countries need to learn that compromise with him doesn't work successfully. You need to be just as tough with him and fight back," said Price, a local resident.
"I think the relationship between the United States and the EU has become tense since Trump took office. The United States advocates for the concept of 'America First', and believe that the United States stands above all other countries in the world, which will further worsen the relations between Europe and the U.S.," said Theil, another resident.
European leaders have voiced growing frustration, with many urging immediate retaliatory steps.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "strong disapproval" of the U.S. move, and said the EU must speed up preparing "credible countermeasures" using all tools, including anti-coercion, available if talks fail.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the move as a "unilateral escalation," and said the EU is prepared to respond with tough countermeasures if necessary.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala criticized the U.S. tariffs for negatively impacting transatlantic trade and called for "unity and determination" to protect the EU's interests.
EU citizens call for tough stance against US tariffs
