<p>Berlin: Europe is prepared to respond "within an hour" if the United States levies tariffs against the European Union, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a pre-election debate with his conservative challenger Friedrich Merz.</p><p>Asked by a moderator if the EU had a "list of cruelties" with which to respond if the US imposed tariffs, Scholz, well behind Merz in the polls, said: "Yes, to phrase it in the most cautious diplomatic way. We as the European Union can act within an hour."</p>.US House speaker to pursue 'one big bill' on Trump's tax agenda.<p>President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to enact tariffs against the US's largest trading partners, accusing them of free-riding on American prosperity. Trade policy is an EU competence, run by the European Commission in Brussels.</p><p>The election will take place on Feb. 23. </p>
<p>Berlin: Europe is prepared to respond "within an hour" if the United States levies tariffs against the European Union, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a pre-election debate with his conservative challenger Friedrich Merz.</p><p>Asked by a moderator if the EU had a "list of cruelties" with which to respond if the US imposed tariffs, Scholz, well behind Merz in the polls, said: "Yes, to phrase it in the most cautious diplomatic way. We as the European Union can act within an hour."</p>.US House speaker to pursue 'one big bill' on Trump's tax agenda.<p>President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to enact tariffs against the US's largest trading partners, accusing them of free-riding on American prosperity. Trade policy is an EU competence, run by the European Commission in Brussels.</p><p>The election will take place on Feb. 23. </p>