President Donald Trump signed an order Monday imposing global tariffs of 25% on all steel and aluminum imports, likely pleasing domestic steelmakers but hurting allies like Canada and Mexico.

The European Union hopes to avert a damaging trade war with the U.S. over impending metals tariffs by prioritising negotiations rather than retaliatory countermeasures, EU officials signalled on Wednesday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will impose "firm and proportionate countermeasures" on U.S. imports.