 "Social Democratic Party (SPD) Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his conservative rival of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz are pictured in a studio of the ARD and ZDF television broadcasters ahead of the first TV debate between Scholz and Merz in Berlin, Germany. Reuters")
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated in a pre-election debate with his conservative opponent Friedrich Merz that Europe is ready to react “within an hour” if the US imposes tariffs on the European Union.
When asked by a moderator if the EU had a “list of cruelties” to retaliate to tariffs imposed by the United States, Scholz, who was well behind Merz in the polls, answered, " Yes, to phrase it in the most cautious diplomatic way. We as the European Union can act within an hour."
President Donald Trump has regularly threatened to impose tariffs on the United States’ top trading partners, accusing them of taking advantage of American wealth. Trade policy is an EU responsibility, overseen by the European Commission in Brussels.
The election will take place on February 23.