EU pledges to hit back if Trump starts trade war

The European Union on Monday said it would hit back at any attempts by the US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on its exports.

In a UK television interview shown on Sunday, Trump criticised what he called the EU's "very unfair" trade policy, and suggested his problems with the 28 member bloc could escalate and “turn out to be very much to their detriment”.

Responding to Trump's remarks, EU spokesman Margaritis Schinas said Europe would respond “swiftly and appropriately” to any threat of a trade war.

“It is not about winners and losers. We here in the European Union believe that trade can be and should be win-win,” Schinas said at a briefing on Monday.

“We also believe that while trade has to be open and fair it has also to be rules-based. The European Union stands ready to react swiftly and appropriately in case our exports are affected by any restrictive trade measures from the United States.”

Trump annoyed China last week after imposing a 30% tariff on solar panels. He also slapped a 20% duty on imported washing machines, irritating South Korea where electrical goods maker Samsung is based.