EU trade chief promises ‘firm and swift’ response if US imposes tariffs

THE EUROPEAN UNION will respond "firmly and swiftly" to protect its interests if Washington imposes tariffs on the bloc's goods, said trade chief Maros Sefcovic, rejecting President Donald Trump's claim that US-EU trade ties are unfair. "It is the very definition of a win-win partnership, and there is nothing unfair about it," Sefcovic said. Europe is bracing for heightened tariff tensions with the United States. Sefcovic signalled the EU's willingness for dealmaking, such as the possibility of reducing or eliminating tariffs on autos and other products. "If we are going to talk about lowering the tariffs, even eliminating the tariffs,…