AS-Uni Europe Heats Up, US Vice President Will Talk To European Commission President

US Vice President JD Vance/DOK PHOTO via Instagram @ jdvance

JAKARTA - US Vice President JD Vance will discuss economic issues and security partnerships with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he said ahead of a bilateral meeting with him at the AI summit in Paris.

Trump's administration has made it very clear that we really care about Europe. We see a lot of economic relations that need to be built with Europe," he said.

"We also want to make sure that we are really involved in a good security partnership for Europe and the United States," Vance continued.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously promised to take "firm and proportional countermeasures" in response to US President Donald Trump's decision to charge all steel and aluminum imports. Trump's latest policy tariff raises fears of a trade war.

Trump signed the decision to increase the tariff for all steel and aluminum imports to 25 percent without exception. White House officials said the action would take effect on March 4.

Von der Leyen said his party deeply regretted the US decision. He said tariffs are poor taxes for businesses and worse for consumers.

EU steel exports to the US averaged 3 billion euros (3.10 billion US dollars) per year over the past decade.

Unfair rates against the EU will not be left alone this will trigger firm and proportional countermeasures. The EU will act to protect its interests," he said.

Von der Leyen did not provide details of his response. One option is to reactivate the rates imposed by the EU in 2018, which were suspended based on an agreed ceasefire between von der Leyen and former US President Joe Biden.

EU rates for US products such asiri, motorcycles, and orange juice are currently suspended until the end of March.