Merkel threatens Trump with 'unmistakable countermeasures'

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Wednesday that EU would take unambiguous countermeasures against the United States' tariff surges if necessary.

Speaking to lawmakers in the Bundestag, lower house of the parliament, Merkel mentioned that the United States has just introduced punitive tariffs.

"We will seek talks, and if necessary, we will take unambiguous countermeasures," said Merkel, as she was making the first government statement before the Bundestag after the establishment of the new German government.

US President Donald Trump on March 8 formally signed proclamations to impose a 25-percent tariff on imported steel and a 10-percent tariff on aluminum, which is scheduled to come into force in 15 days, causing mounting dissent among business groups and trading partners around the world.