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 leaders said they would respond firmly to higher levies on steel and aluminum, but they had yet to say what that retaliation would look like.

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.