Scholz vows to respond immediately to the strikes

The German Chancellor has warned that if the United States imposes additional tariffs on European Union (EU) goods, the people of Europe will retaliate "within the hour."

Olaf Scholz made the remarks in an election debate with Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, in response to journalists' questions about the possibility of Trump increasing tariffs on European countries. 

The German Chancellor added: "We in the European Union will take action within the hour."

US President Donald Trump has been threatening to impose additional tariffs on US goods imported into the US. Last week, he announced additional tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada, but hours later announced a one-month suspension of the additional tariffs on Mexico and China after those countries retaliated.

He has also threatened to impose more tariffs on Europe. Following Trump's threats, European Union leaders held a meeting in Brussels to discuss the US tariff threat.

The European Commission had also warned Trump that "the European Union will respond strongly to any trading partner that imposes unfair or arbitrary tariffs on EU products."