The European Commission said on Monday it would react to protect EU interests after U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of impending metals tariffs, but will not respond until it has clarification of the measures.

The European Union's executive branch on Friday vowed to “take firm and immediate action" against U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum. The European Commission said in a statement that Trump’s proposed “reciprocal” trade policy goes “in the wrong direction.

The EU will act to safeguard its economic interests. We will protect our workers, businesses and consumers,” von der Leyen said in a statement in reaction to US President Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum the previous day.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will impose "firm and proportionate countermeasures" on U.S. imports.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said unjustified tariffs would prompt "proportionate and decisive countermeasures", echoing her vow on Tuesday of a "firm and proportionate" response to Trump's decision to impose tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.

European Union Chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed Tuesday that U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum "will not go unanswered."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during the Munich security conference Friday the European Union will respond if the United States imposes reciprocal tariffs.

The European Union hopes to avert a damaging trade war with the U.S. over impending metals tariffs by prioritising negotiations rather than retaliatory countermeasures, EU officials signalled on Wednesday.

The EU will always protect European businesses, workers and consumers from ‘unjustified tariff measure’, the European Union Commission said on Friday. It promised to take immediate action against the tariffs imposed on its exports.