WARSAW

The EU will discuss a "balanced," unified response to the US tariffs on steel and aluminum, said Poland’s prime minister on Tuesday, adding that trade wars are “unnecessary.”

“Consultations with all member states are needed here. I know that they will take place tomorrow. We will certainly prepare an appropriate but balanced European response,” Donald Tusk said before a government meeting in Warsaw.

Tusk went on to say that “trade or customs wars are unnecessary, because they always bring negative consequences for consumers and producers,” especially among friends.

US President Donald Trump has warned that if any countries take retaliatory action, the US will raise tariffs again.

Trump on Monday signed a decision to impose 25% tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum. The White House announced that the tariffs will apply to all countries without exception.

“Aluminum exports from Poland to the United States are 411 tons, and to other countries 264,000 tons. This gives an idea of the proportions, so we’re not panicking, but we are preparing well for the possible consequences of these tariffs,” said Tusk.

He added that he had spoken with Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, on the EU reaction to the tariffs and said it "would be balanced."