The European Union warned US President Donald Trump Monday that the bloc will step back from a commitment to buy more American soybeans and liquid gas if European cars are hit with punitive tariffs.
The US Commerce Department is expected issue its guidance on whether auto imports endanger US national security enough to justify import taxes, giving Trump 90 days to decide whether to impose them.
EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that during a summit in Washington last summer, Trump promised not to damage trans-Atlantic trade with such measures.
"Trump has given me his word that there will be no car tariffs for the time being," Juncker told the German newspaper Stuttgarter Zeitung.
"I believe him," Juncker said. "However, should he renege on that commitment, we will no longer feel bound by our commitments to buy more US soya and liquid gas."